PM shocked, angered by 5-year-old's killing

THE Prime Minister, in a Facebook post on August 21, has said he was "shocked and angered at the barbarism that results in violent criminal conduct with total disregard for human life in Trinidad and Tobago."

His comments came in response to the murder of five-year-old Anika Guerra, who was shot dead alongside her father, Enrico Guerra, at their St Mary’s Village, Moruga, home on August 20.

Dr Rowley questioned how “an adult with a firearm delivers several shots into the body of a five-year-old child.” He said, “This and acts like these represent the worst of what we are and what we have produced.”

The PM concluded his post by saying the government "continues to provide alternatives and promote humane responses."

He said the pursuit of those who threaten public safety will be relentless. “Our national efforts must not waver. The heartless perpetrators will be identified, and justice will be served towards eliminating this scourge from our country.”

Anika was at her father’s mini-mart, Enrico’s Corner Shop, having her hair combed around 9.45 pm, when three gunmen attacked her father, who was standing outside the shop.

Enrico ran inside, but one of the assailants followed him and continued shooting. While Guerra’s mother took cover, it was too late for Anika, who was hit multiple times in the face, arm and lower back.

Her mother was treated and discharged. Enrico died at the scene and Anika was pronounced dead at the Princes Town District Health Facility.