[UPDATED] GUN ATTACK AT CROSS CROSSING – Woman wounded, bystander killed, car stolen

Two weeks after gunmen shot up the home of a 47-year-old woman in South Western Trinidad, she was wounded in a shooting on Monday at an insurance company in San Fernando that left a man dead.

The woman was a customer at General Accident Insurance's office at Cross Crossing Shopping Centre II, where the man shot her.

For safety reasons, the police asked for the woman's name not to be used.

Up to Monday, she was receiving care at hospital for wounds to her chest.

Reports are around 10.15 am, the gunman shot her in the waiting area at the insurance office.

As the gunman was leaving, he shot labourer Rosario "Danny" Ramdhan outside the building.

Ramdhan, 24, of Springvale in Claxton Bay, had accompanied a male friend identified as Kenton Moses to the business place for an unrelated matter.

Reports are an altercation started with Moses, who was the driver of a white Tiida car at the front of the building.

Ramdhan was nearby, and the gunman shot him. Ramdhan ran a short distance, collapsed and died. Moses was not injured.

The killer got into Moses's car and drove off.

There were no reports of other injuries, and investigators believed the woman was the intended target.

Newsday learnt that the woman's family's home in Aripero was shot up two weeks ago and a report was made to the South Oropouche police station. No one was injured, and the mastermind behind that attack was not held. The woman previously lived in the La Romaine district.

The police were tightlipped on whether the shootings might be connected, saying the investigation was "sensitive."

On the latest shooting, police investigators were expected to view CCTV footage to confirm eyewitness accounts of how it happened.

Parts of Cross Crossing were blocked off to traffic as the police gathered evidence.

People also gathered, including the dead man's grieving father, Ramnarine Ramdhan.

Speaking briefly to reporters, he said he was unsure how his son became involved. From what he heard, the shooting was between the gunman and a woman.

"I cannot say if he was a passer-by and maybe tell the man something. I am assuming because the police said they have no proper information on it right now," Ramnarine said as he stood behind the police caution tapes.

He described his son as "quiet and cool."

He said Ramdhan had plans to migrate but was denied a US visa.

"He wanted to live abroad but did not get through with his visa. They blanked him," Ramnarine said.

On Monday, a Facebook post on General Accident's page said the San Fernando branch was temporarily closed due to "an emergency."

"We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding at this time. Stay tuned for updates," the post said. No further details were given.

Supt Dhillpaul, ASP Persad, and other police from the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (Region III), as well as ASP Phillip, Insp Ramlogan, Sgt Bacchus and other police from the Southern Division, visited the scene and gathered evidence.

A massive search was under way for the suspect as well as the stolen car. The police interviewed "key people" who might be able to help with an arrest, but the gunman remained at large.

Investigations are ongoing.

This story was originally published with the title "Man killed, woman wounded in shooting at insurance company" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

A shooting at an insurance company on Monday has left a man dead and a woman wounded in San Fernando.

The dead man, believed to be from Claxton Bay, was unidentified. The woman, a customer at General Accident at Cross Crossing, was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital. Initial reports said she was shot in the chest.

Reports are around 10.15 am, the gunman shot her and then shot the man as he was leaving the compound.

Details are sketchy but an onlooker said the killer approached the driver of a Tiida, a friend of the dead man, and the two began fighting.

The other man was shot and died a short distance away. The killer got into the car and drove off.

Investigations are ongoing.