Three murders push toll to 385

(Trinidad Guardian) A teenager, who according to police, shot at residents of Beetham Gardens, was killed yesterday morning. Two of his accomplices ran away as he lay bleeding.

Leroy Reynolds Isaac, 19, of Prizgar Lands, Laventille was found at Eastern Quarry Laventille, near the Success Laventille Secondary School around 4 am. Police said they responded to a report of gunshots in the area and found Isaac dead.

Officers reported that when they arrived at the scene they were shot at by residents of Beetham Gardens who were still agitated. This is the second time within a week that gunmen from Beetham Gardens and police had an exchange of gunfire.

According to police, residents of John John will usually send two gunmen across the Eastern Main Road to shoot at Beetham residents.

When the residents retaliate, the John John gunmen, perched on the hills, would open fire on their targets. Isaac was said to have been one of two men who early yesterday morning opened fire on Beetham residents who returned fire, killing him.

No reports were made of anyone from Beetham Gardens being shot either by police during their brief gun battle or by acquaintances of Isaac.

In another murder that took place yesterday, police are searching for an identity for the victim.

Police said around 6 am, a resident of Chinapoo, Morvant, was walking when he saw the body of a man at the side of the road. The man was wearing a white t-shirt and blue pair of jeans and believed to be of mixed descent in his 20s. Anyone with information on his identity can contact the police.

The two murders and that of a Maloney man, who was threatened one month ago and died Thursday afternoon after he was shot near his home Wednesday night, increased the murder toll to 385 for the year.

Police said Kazim Burke, 20, was approached at his Building 19, Maloney Gardens home around 9.30 pm by a masked gunman who opened fire on him before running off.

Burke was taken to the Arima Health Facility and then transferred to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) with gunshot wounds to the head, face, back, abdomen, shoulder and hands.

He died around noon on Thursday at the EWMSC.

Relatives said Burke was threatened recently and asked if he wanted war with men from the Maloney housing scheme.

Police believe his death is linked to ongoing gang war in the Maloney area but could not say if Burke himself was affiliated with any gang.