Copyright trinidadexpress
A BRAZEN attack in the Sun Valley Extension, Lower Santa Cruz, area on Saturday night has left two men dead, including one who police said was an innocent bystander. The deceased are Angelo Leandre, 31, a labourer of Sun Valley Extension; and Jeremiah Britto, of La Canoa Road. Police sources confirmed Britto was an unfortunate bystander caught in the hail of bullets meant for Leandre. The incident was said to have taken place around 8.20 p.m. while Leandre was washing a gold-coloured Nissan Almera on the roadway. As he was doing so, police said a number of armed men approached and opened fire. Leandre attempted to flee by running, but the gunmen pursued him, shooting him multiple times. At the same moment, Britto, who was standing nearby, also sustained several gunshot wounds. The shooters then ran off and escaped, stated police. The two latest killings have taken the country’s murder toll for the year so far to 313, compared to 530 for the corresponding period last year. First responders, who were on mobile patrol in the San Juan district, arrived on the scene shortly after receiving reports of loud explosions heard in the area. Upon arrival, officers found Leandre lying motionless on the roadway, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The officers were also informed by residents that Britto had already been taken to the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex, Mt Hope, in a private vehicle driven by an unidentified woman. Police stated he was pronounced dead at 8.50 p.m. upon his arrival at the health institution. The Crime Scene Investigation Unit processed the scene as well as Britto’s body at the hospital. Officers said they also recovered 18 9mm Luger bullet casings and two projectiles. Leandre was later pronounced dead by a District Medical Officer and ordered removed to the Forensic Science Centre, Federation Park, for a post-mortem examination. An autopsy will also have to be carried out on Britto’s body to confirm his cause of death.
