Student and driver killed in ambush
TRINIDAD - The deaths of a form two student and a PH driver in Morvant on Monday have taken the murder toll to 21 during the first 9 days of the new year.
Morvant Laventille Secondary School student, 14-year-old Joshua Andrews, and PH taxi driver Devon Hernandez were killed by gunmen after the taxidriver’s gold Elantra car was riddled with bullets. One of the bullets hit the gas tank which resulted in the car being burnt with Andrews and Hernandez still inside.
Two other students of the same school, who were also in the car at the time of the shooting, were wounded and were taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital. At about 3.05 pm, police received a report of several gunshots being heard at Pelican Extension, Morvant. Newsday was told Hernandez picked up the students from their school at Pelican Extension and were taking them home when they were intercepted by another car with the gunmen. The gunmen shot up the car before speeding off. Andrews, who was in the front passenger seat, and Hernandez were shot multiple times. The two schoolboys who were in the back seat, were also shot. Police said one was shot in the face, and another in his hand, severing one of his fingers. Residents, upon hearing the gunshots, peeked outside to see what was going on and found the car engulfed in flames. The two surviving passengers were taken to hospital.
When members of the Fire Service arrived, they put out the fire and found the charred remains of Andrews and Hernandez in the car.
When Newsday arrived on the scene, police had already cordoned off the area and were awaiting crime scene investigators to start processing. National Security Minister Edmund Dillon condemned the murders and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
“All law enforcement agencies are in direct and active engagement, and together send a stern warning to the perpetrators that they will be found and made to feel the brunt of the law. A no holds barred approach will be taken by law enforcement to protect our law abiding people from the criminal elements and gang activity. No effort will be spared. No stone will be left unturned.”
(Newsday)