Arima man
500th murder
Gang, drug-related killings major cause of increase by 153 cases
Denyse Renne drenne@trinidadexpress.com
Sunday, November 30th 2008
T&T's murder toll reached 500 yesterday, with the latest murder victim identified as Wilfred Fredericks.
Fredericks, 20, of Bye Pass Road, Arima, was shot dead around 1.45 a.m. yesterday, while standing on Mahabir Lane, Arima. Police say Fredericks was approached by a lone gunman who shot him several times about the body.
Fredericks managed to run a few feet away before collapsing. He died at the scene.
Homicide detectives are yet to establish a motive for the murder.
So far for the year, gang and drug-related killings have contributed significantly to the upsurge in murders, while domestic brawls, altercations, robberies and collateral killings also accounted for a large percentage of murders.
Statistics further showed, of the 500 murders committed to date, only 71 have been detected, an increase of six, when compared to last year around this period.
Sunday Express' statistics also show murders have increased by 153, compared to the same period last year.
Region Two (North, North-Eastern, Eastern divisions) accounted for the bulk of detections, which currently stand at 43.
A senior homicide detective, commenting on Region Two's detection rate, said his officers "have been working tirelessly in an attempt to bring the perpetrators to justice".
"Several of my officers are called on their days off, and because of their dedication to the job they respond," the senior officer said.
Stating detectives under the supervision of ASP Johnny Abraham, Insps Stanley Ramdeen, Ancil Corbette and including Sgt Andrew Lawrence and PCs Sunil Ramoutar,Tyrone Jack, Kevin Thomas, Suzette Martin, Josaine Sampson-Johnson and Ameer Mohammed, just to name a few, the senior officer said Region Two's successes this year include the detection of nine murders which were committed in 2007, and also several others which were committed in 2006.
"Following investigations, two charges of manslaughter and attempted murder have also been laid," the senior officer said.
Numerous media conferences held by senior officials, including Acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert, who was appointed to the post on July 5, have tried to assure the public that officers are making progress in various homicide cases.
One such instance was the October 9 killings of elderly Swedish couple Ake Olsson, 73, and his wife, Anna Sulvan, who were found with chop wounds at their Bon Accord, Tobago, home.
Homicide detectives said then they believed that robbery was the motive and were expecting to lay charges soon.
Two suspects were arrested and subsequently released and an artist's sketch was issued to the public, but so far, detectives say they are still investigating the matter.
Express statistics further showed Tobago accounting for two cases of manslaughter and five murders.
Under Philbert's tenure, 229 murders have been recorded thus far.
Thirteen inquests have been ordered by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, while 17 killings are yet to be classified, since investigations are ongoing.
The unclassified killings include bullet-riddled bodies and autopsies, which have been inconclusive.
Inquests, manslaughters and unclassified killings do not form part of the Sunday Express' murder toll.
For the year thus far, 47 females between the ages of two to 65 have been brutally murdered, while 12 murder/ suicides were recorded.
Five law enforcement officers, inclusive of two police officers, along with one fire, prison and soldier were also murdered this year.
Seven State witnesses were also killed a month apart-Balliram Krishna Harripersad (February 11), Terrance Haynes (March 16), Harold Joseph (April 5), Ishmael Drayton and Daniel Roberts (May 1), Anthony Ryan (June 12) and Gabriel Charles (July 28).
Murders also took a toll on taxi-drivers who were plying their trade, with 17 drivers being killed for the year.
The murder toll recorded also included 30 persons who were reported missing by their relatives.
On September 19, National Security Minister Martin Joseph announced that the Special Anti-Crime Unit of T&T have been mandated to conduct investigations into gang-related killings.
Following the announcement, 53 killings involving gang members have taken place.
So far, May has been the bloodiest month, accounting for 56 murders, while June has the second highest with 55.
February accounted for 28-the least number of murders.
