Taxi driver gunned down near Cunupia home

TAXI-DRIVER Kelvin Shaffie, a hard-working father of two, was gunned down a short distance from his home in Cunupia on Saturday morning. His family believes they will not get justice for his killing.

Sunday Newsday visited Shaffie’s home on Bejucal Road, Cunupia, where relatives said they were confused about who killed him, and why anyone wanted him dead.

His cousin Reesa Sooklal, asked if she had faith that the family will get justice, said: “I can rush and answer that. No! They killing you and leaving you. Nobody gets justice.

“Long ago when they come to kill you they used to cover their faces. Now we using masks thanks to covid so it very hard to know if somebody coming to kill you. I telling myself this will just vanish like the rest (of murders). The most we could do is mourn and be there for the children.”

Shaffie was one of three brothers who carried on their father’s trade of driving taxis. All three drove Toyota Crowns, just like their father, and named their cars “Suck Salt” in honour of him, as his nickname was “Salt.”

Police said around 5.30 am on Saturday, residents of Alexander Street, Cunupia heard gunshots and alerted Central Division police. Shaffie was found with gunshot wounds in the front seat of his car. Alexander Street is a short drive from where Shaffie lived with his 19-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter.

Relatives said Shaffie did many hire jobs and would start work by 3 am. The 43-year-old, who was supposed to celebrate his 44th birthday in November, had been a taxi driver for two decades.

His son survived a rare case of cancer, sarcoma, when he was 16, three years ago. He is now in remission after having surgery and chemotherapy. His daughter is a form four student.

Relatives said Shaffie lived for his children and when he was not on the road earning money for them, he was at home.

“Everything was for his children. He lived for them. He is a man does be on the stand working the Chaguanas to Bejucal route, but most of the times he is hired to drop people to work and to market. We were never looking out for something like this. It’s not like he used to lime or drink or smoke. From work to home. And he never told us that he had a falling out with anyone.”

Relatives said they did not know if his killing was a hit but the motive may not have been robbery, since his wallet and cell phone were not stolen.

The killing is the country's 311th murder for 2020. The figure to date is at least 90 fewer than for the same period last year.