Murdered man's relative: Gunfire was like a western

A relaxing Monday evening took a deadly turn when a 31-year-old man was shot dead while listening to music outside his St James home.

Newsday understands Nicholas Lutchman was sitting outside his home at Fred Avenue, Belle Vue, at around 9.30 pm when a gunman shot him and ran away.

Lutchman died instantly.

Newsday visited the Forensic Science Centre, St James, on Tuesday and spoke to a relative, who said she was in the house at the time and heard the gunshots from her living room.

"I heard about six gunshots and I asked out loud, to no one in particular, 'You all feel this is a western town? You think this is rubber bullets you all are playing with?'

"Then I heard as if someone was running and then I didn't hear anything again. I thought it was Nicholas who was running away, but when I checked it was Nicholas who was lying face down on the ground.

"I'm really nervous, but I live there because the rent is small. I have lived there for 26 years and I don't mingle with anyone. Nicholas is the same way."

The relative said she does not know why anyone would want to harm Lutchman as he barely went out, and was asked to stay at home and help care for his mother who was unwell.

The relative said while the community has "had its ups and downs" she kept to herself and tried to avoid trouble as best as she could.

"I'm a praying person, so I don't live with fear."

Investigators from the Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region 1 are continuing enquiries.

No motive has been established for Lutchman's murder.