Two cousins were gunned down within 35 minutes of each other at Beetham, Laventille, on Friday night. According to a police report, at about 11.45 pm, Dale Richards, 38, was discovered dead by officers of the Inter Agency Task Force. His body was discovered lying under a shed along Main Street, opposite Third Street, after residents heard gunshots and alerted police.
Officers were again called to the area at about 12.20 am yesterday by residents. After searching the area, Richards’ cousin, Nigel Waltz, 27, was found lying along a track at Fourth Street suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment. Police said both cousins were shot several times about their bodies.
Meanwhile, used car dealer Samdeo Manooge Benny died at hospital after he was shot several times in front of his wife and children on Friday night, shortly after they pulled up outside their home in Cumuto. According to a police report, at about 10 pm, Benny, of Caratal Road, pulled up in front of his home and parked his car in the driveway. Moments after opening the gate, Benny was ambushed by a gunman as he was about to get back into his vehicle to drive into his yard. He was shot several times about the body. The gunman then escaped on foot.
Benny was taken to the Arima Health Facility where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police believe it was a hit. Benny sold used car parts and was described as a very charitable, kind and friendly individual. In an unrelated incident, police have launched a manhunt for a suspect who chopped Sheldon Amoroso on Thursday, after he died at hospital the following day. Investigating officers said Amoroso, 42, of Francis Lane, Waterloo Road, Arouca, succumbed to injuries on Friday at about 4 pm at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mount Hope.
Police said Amoroso was at his home when he had an altercation with a man he knew. The man reportedly later returned with a cutlass and dealt Amoroso several chops about the body. The victim is said to have identified his attacker to the police before he died. Investigations into all four murders are continuing.