Gang war erupts in San Fernando, 3 dead, 3 injured

Gang warfare among rivals gripped the city of San Fernando on Friday night leaving three men dead and three others injured in the last 48 hours.

Police said a teenager and a woman were hospitalised in serious conditions up to Saturday evening.

The latest incident happened at about 12.15 am on Saturday when two gunmen wearing hoodies opened fire at a group of people who were playing a card game at a house at George Street in La Romaine. Kern Cuffie, 27, who lived in the house and Peter Carlye "Pablo" Brown, 62, died at the scene.

A 34-year-old female resident got injured and was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital. The killers ran off.

Relatives and friends of Brown, a father of four and grandfather one, said he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He lived a short distance away at the Southern Main Road.

"He went to visit his girlfriend, who is a relative of Cuffie. He was a builder and tiles man. He was a simple man, very easy going," said a relative.

"Police have never had the cause to be at his home because he never involved himself in any illegal activities. He loved to socialise. He was simply visiting a friend."

Five hours before the double homicide, at about 7 pm on Friday, occupants opened fire at a car driven by Victor Stewart, 28, at Lord Street in San Fernando.

A report said Stewart, who lived at Pleasantville, was driving a car with a 33-year-old man seated in front and a 17-year-old boy at the back. Another car pulled alongside Stewart and opened fire, hitting all three. The vehicle crashed into an iron gate and came to a halt. Passers-by found Stewart’s body slumped behind the wheel with multiple wounds. The two survivors were taken to hospital.

About an hour before Stewart’s killing, Junior "Tallo" Timothy, 42 of La Romaine, was killed similarly. Police said Timothy, a WASA worker, was driving a grey SUV at the Southern Main Road near La Bel Air Road, where another SUV pulled up next to him, and occupants opened fire.

Timothy’s car crashed into a concrete wall. Three armed men got out and fired more shots, killing Timothy instantly. The killers returned to their vehicle and sped off.

A grieving relative told Sunday Newsday Timothy had called his girlfriend just 10 minutes before his death to tell her he was on his way to pick her up.

"He told her to get dressed. They were going out to get something to eat. We have no idea why people killed him. He was a quiet and loving person," a relative said. He was originally from Pleasantville.

Insp Teeluck, Sgts Noyan, Williams, Elvin, Cpls Smith, Harripersad, PCs Moonilal, Ali and Rampersad as from the Homicide Bureau Region III are investigating the gang murders.

Homicide detectives from Arouca are also investigating two additional homicides between Friday night and Saturday morning.

Kerwin Lewis, 30, of Savannah Trace, Garden Village in Arouca was gunned down near his home at around 11.50 pm on Friday.

Relatives reported that they heard gunshots and later found Lewis’ body lying on his back with multiple wounds at the side of the road.

ASP John, Insp Bisnath, PCs Rahim, Ramcharan, Sandy, and other officers are investigating the Arouca killing.

On Saturday, at around 8.30 am, a gardener on his way to tend to his crops found the decomposing body of an unidentified man on

Lochan Trace, off Toco Road. Police said the body was lying face down about 50 feet into a forested area.

The man appeared to be of African descent, medium built, and about five foot tall. He was wearing a white vest, blue three-quarter jeans, and black and white slippers. His face had bruises. Anyone with information can contact the nearest police station.