Cocoyea man shot dead

UPDATED:

A young San Fernando shop owner was yesterday shot and killed while selling in front his business place at Cocoyea Village.

The death of 22-year-old Imani Blackett has now increased the murder toll to 33 for the year. Blackett was shot to his chest by his killers. He died on the spot. Police said, at about 12.30 pm Blackett was at the corner of St Andrews and Forres Avenue when a silver pick up van pulled up.

A man exited the van and shot Blackett several times. Eyewitnesses said he attempted to run. His body was found at the side of his shop. Residents yesterday lined the roadway, among them Blackett’s parents Gloria Simon, 58, and 55-year-old Francis Blackett. The parents consoled each other as they looked at their son’s body. “No....no. He not dead he is sleeping. Oh gosh no Imani,” Simon cried. Francis told Newsday he could not understand why anyone would want to hurt his son. He said the shop is a family business and Imani was responsible for sales and stocks.

The parlour, Francis said, was opened one year ago and is located a short distance from their home. Francis said that he was inside his house when he heard the gunshots.

“I looked outside and I saw this silver van speed off. I didn’t even know that my son was shot. I was just looking out the road and everyone was coming out to the street, then a man came running to me and said my son was shot.” The father of four said his son was not the type to look for trouble. “He is by himself most times and all he studies is upgrading his business, but in this life there are many people who watch you and envy you. I think this was the case with my son. People seeing that he is trying to progress and did not like that.”

Francis said his son also had plans to buy a car. Police at the scene included Inspectors Don Gajadhar and Daryl Corrie, Sgt Ramlochan, Cpl Bacchus, PC Seepersad and others of the Homicide Region Three. An autopsy is expected to be done today.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A 22-year-old San Fernando man identified as Imani Blackett was killed shortly after lunchtime today at his shop, which he recently opened at the corner of St. Andrews and Forres Avenue in Cocoyea.

Family members at the scene say they are baffled as to why he was killed since he was trying to be independent by opening up his own business.

Shortly after lunch, a car pulled up in front the shop and the killer opened fire. Nothing was taken from the business place.