Double murder in Moruga devastates community, country

MINI mart owner Enrico Guerra was the latest past pupil of the Princes Town West Secondary (formerly Princes Town Senior Comprehensive) who died from gun violence, leaving his former schoolmates, friends and relatives shattered.

An eerie calm settled over the grieving community of St Mary's Village in Moruga on August 22, less than two days after Guerra, 34, and his five-year-old daughter, Anika Guerra, were gunned down at his business place.

Guerro ran Enrico Corner Mart at the corner of Poui Road and Moruga Main Road, in front of the family's home.

Guerra, also called Zico, would have turned 35 in November, and Anika turned five a few days ago, on August 13. She was set to attend primary school at the start of next month's school year.

At 11.34 pm on August 21, the Prime Minister took to Facebook to express his disgust over the double murder.

Dr Rowley said he was shocked and angered at the barbarism that could result in violent criminal conduct with total disregard for human life in the country, which could see an adult with a gun deliver several shots into the body of a five-year-old child.

"This and acts like these represent the worst of what we are and what we have produced. As we continue to provide alternatives in very many ways hoping to encourage a human and humane response, we will also relentlessly pursue those who so wantonly assault our safety and security," Rowley said.

"Our national efforts must not waver, the heartless perpetrators will be identified, and justice will be served towards the end of eliminating this scourge from our country."

Last month, on July 13, the body of Guerra's schoolmate and close friend Shakem Ano Charles, 32, of Indian Walk, in Moruga, was found with gunshot wounds in a bushy area off Sunrees Road in Penal.

The TT RideShare driver and father of two went missing on July 9, the last date anyone saw him alive.

A now-viral video shows Guerra speaking about life and death after attending Charles' funeral. Like other mourners, Guerra was still wearing T-shirts bearing Charles' image.

Guerra said no one knew what tomorrow brought, and called on people to appreciate life.

He also gave a toast to Charles as well as to another slain schoolmate, Stephon Richardson, 30. In October 2020, Richardson, who worked as a prison officer, was shot dead in Indian Walk outside the family's home.

Another schoolmate, Carlos Modeste, 31, was shot dead in Rio Claro on August 3 when he went to collect money from someone. Speaking to Newsday, Charles' mother, Margaret Charles, referred to crime in the country, saying, "When will it end?"

She said the family was still trying to cope. She also confirmed that Charles and Guerra were schoolfriends.

At Charles' funeral, his best friend Quincy Jones paid tributes, saying Charles loved hugging everybody.

Jones ended by saying, "I love you, bro. Until we meet again, please give Stephon a hug for me."

Guerra's father, Andy Lawrence Guerra, was still inconsolable and cried while reading and looking at a newspaper photo of his slain son and granddaughter.

"This is hard to deal with. He was my only son. I have a daughter, and she lives abroad. I have not eaten for the morning," Guerra said on August 22.

The grandfather of three, two surviving, said he was feeling unwell and no one else was home.

He said had Anika lived, she would have attended the St Mary's Government Primary School.

There has been an outpouring of support from the public, particularly from social media users who offered condolences to the family.

Guerra's alma mater paid tributes via Facebook and recalled that at the school's 2023 reunion, he, along with his sister and uncles, had a blast.

"Over the years, the Ali family of Moruga developed a close bond with the administration of Princes Town Senior Comprehensive School. On many occasions, they supplied plants (horticulture) for our school events free of charge," a post said.

Community gripped by fear

Community members were tightlipped and fearful for their lives, considering the killers showed no mercy, particularly for the "baby" girl.

"I do not want my name in the media. If they could kill a child, someone who did them no wrong, they could kill anybody. Even if the father did them (killers) something, they should not shoot the child. This shooting is beyond sad," a villager said.

Another villager, whispering and looking around, added, "Do not expect any protest for this one. People are frightened to talk. I do not wish this on anybody."

One elderly villager even suggested, "Be observant. Be careful."

Autopsies had not been done up to 6 pm on August 22.

Newsday learned that a candlelight vigil is being planned for the weekend.

On August 21 at around 9.45 pm, Anika's mother, Anastacia Hamilton, was combing her daughter's hair inside the mini mart when they heard gunshots.

Guerra ran inside, trying to escape the masked gunman who followed him, and continued to shoot. Guerra died on the spot, and the child was taken to the Princes Town District Health Facility, where she later died.

Another villager, Justin Weston, 30, who was earlier talking to Guerra, was shot and wounded. He was treated and discharged from hospital.

The police do not have a motive and no one has been arrested.

Homicide Bureau of Investigation, Region Three, police are leading the investigation.