Laventille man murdered in car

MEMBERS of the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) are admitting that the murder of a Laventille man will be difficult to investigate as they suspect he was killed by someone in his own community of McShine Village early Sunday.

Daniel Thomas, 44, was gunned down while behind the wheel of his blue Nissan Almera at the Desperadoes panyard in Laventille at around 7.30 am. He died on the spot.

Residents heard the gunshots and, on checking, saw Thomas' body. They called officers of the Fort Chacon police post who went to the scene with a district medical officer.

Newsday visited the scene on Sunday afternoon to try and find Thomas' relatives, but were cautioned by IATF police in the area about the danger of walking around the neighbourhood.

Police said they suspected someone within the community wanted Thomas dead but, up until press time, could not establish a motive.

One of his relatives spoke to Newsday and said the last time she saw him was last week Thursday. She said Thomas, who worked as a seaman and a private-hire taxi driver, often kept to himself. She could not say why anyone would want him dead.

The relative said she found out about Thomas' murder when the police called her yesterday.

"All I have to say is that it's in the Lord's hands. Vengeance is his. I can't say anything again."

Thomas had four children ages 2, 12, 14 and 15 years.

In another incident, another McShine Village resident was shot and killed in La Horquetta.

Investigators are unclear how or why Braxton Gibbs, 23, went to Phase One, La Horquetta, but said he was shot and killed at around 9 pm on Saturday.

They said they believe Gibbs was killed for wearing traditional Muslim wear in an area they suspect was controlled by members of the Rasta City gang.

Newsday attempted to speak to Gibbs' relatives but were told by residents that he lived with his grandmother who was not at home at the time.

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