A 25-year-old sidewalk clothing vendor was gunned down in front of his store in yet another brazen attack in Downtown Port-of-Spain on Wednesday night, a short distance from the mobile police post on Independence Square. The incident that occurred around 9.30 pm and pushed the murder toll for the year to 389, is the latest in a series of shootings this week, which have prompted police to review their security measures in the city.
Police said Stephen Pollard, of First Street, Phase One, Beetham Gardens, was standing on the sidewalk along Broadway after closing his clothing store when a car with two men drove up. Eyewitness told police two men—one armed with a sub-machine gun and the other a pistol—got out and began shooting at Pollard. He was shot several times and as he collapsed his attackers returned to the car and drove away.
Police responded to the scene soon after and the father of one was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. Pollard was stabilised by doctors but died three hours later while undergoing emergency surgery to treat the serious interal injuries he got after being shot over ten times. In a interview at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, moments before Pollard’s autopsy, his mother Nola Wilson denied his son’s murder was due to being involved in illegal activities.
She said her son owned two successful businesses which he started by selling clothes, shoes and household items to help support her and his seven siblings while he was still in school. “People watching his things and think that he in drugs or do something to get it but that is not true. He work hard since he is a little boy,” Wilson said. She admitted that police had recently raided his house and business in search of drugs.
“They come and they search and search and they didn’t get nothing so they leave it like that,” Wilson said. The grieving mother also claimed Pollard’s murder may be due to “jealous” rival store owners. She said her son’s store was destroyed in an arson attack three years ago. “My son was a good person. It didn’t matter if he driving the biggest ride or living in a big house, he was still down-to-earth. That is why they jealous of him,” Wilson said.
Wilson expressed optimism that police would solve the crime as it occurred along a busy thoroughfare. “I really hope somebody see something or one of them cameras on the buildings pick it up,” Wilson said. Homicide detectives said they were exploring the possibility that Pollard’s murder was connected with two others in Port-of-Spain.
On Tuesday night, Simba La Roche was shot along Independence Square and 32-year-old Rene La Fleur was shot dead on Observatory Street around midday on Wednesday. However, initial checks indicated that all three may be unconnected.
MAYOR: SPORTS THE KEY
Port-of-Spain mayor Raymond Tim Kee said yesterday the answer to solving crime was getting youths involved in sporting activities because jail was no longer a deterrent. He added: “Sometimes I wonder where our country is, with people killing in front of a police station and all kinds of illegal things. “I hope we see a change. That is the function of education and a lot of conversation. The nation seems to be angry.
“I don’t know if jail is a deterrent because crime is committed every day and it seems not to be the impact with what we are looking for.” Rene La Fleur, a labourer at the city corporation, was shot dead on Wednesday on Observatory Street, Port-of-Spain. He was one of three people killed in the city. Tim Kee said sports seemed to be the alternative for the young people.
“A lot of nations have that as an initiative in their economy. I see how sports impacted on communities. It occupies their time and people following instructions. It is more effective than what a police gets out of them,” he added. Also contacted yesterday, chief executive officer at the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Catherine Kumar, said:
“I don’t know what else to add and in 2015 we will like to see some serious changes to the administration of justice in the country. Everything starts with proper administration.”