Relatives: Arima shooting victims lured to their deaths by gangsters

Nicholas Edwards and Anderson Rechais, two men who were killed at the corner of Jean Street and Eastern Main Road, Arima may have been lured to their deaths, said relatives on Tuesday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James.

Elizabeth Raymond, Edwards' aunt, told Newsday the 23-year-old father of one may have gotten in too deep with gang members and, after a year of hiding, attempted to buy his freedom by selling a car to gang members. But the trade was a ruse to lure him out of hiding.

"He tried to make a deal and buy his (Edwards') freedom from the gang. But they lured him out, because he would not leave his house."

Rechais, 18, was described as a close friend, who followed Edwards to his death.

While describing Edwards as a jovial, friendly and helpful person, relatives said he had made a string of bad decisions which landed him in jail about three years ago.

Raymond said Edwards got involved with "Muslim" gang members from a young age. That resulted in him being arrested on robbery charges.

But while he was in jail, he would still be supported by the gang.

"Because they were "Muslim brothers" they would help him. When he got out of jail last year he didn't have a job and a gang member loaned him money so he could get a start."

But when gangsters came calling for the money they were owed, Edwards went into hiding.

"He would never leave home," Raymond said. " If he is going Arima he will call a car. If he is going Port of Spain he will call a car. Other than that he would sit in the gallery and look left and look right."

Edwards saw an opportunity to buy his freedom when he found out that some gang members needed a car, Raymond said. He offered to sell them a car and met them on Saturday night.

That was when he was killed.

Gunshots were heard on Jean Lane at about 10 pm on Saturday, and when residents checked they found a grey Chevrolet car parked on the side of the road with the engine still running.

Rechais' body was found on the side of the road. Police were alerted and they cordoned off the area.

When police were processing the scene they found Edwards with his hands tied behind his back with tie straps.

When Newsday asked police sources about the car found at the scene they said the vehicle was not listed as stolen, but it did not belong to either of the men.

Relatives expressed regret over the two young men's deaths. Raymond took responsibility over the deaths of the two men saying if they had spoken out against the gang members. In the community, both Edwards and Rechais would have been alive today.

"Some people believe that if they speak out against the gangs in their community the same gang members will turn around and kill you, and that is why they won't talk."

Raymond said for years gang members have lured young men in the area into a life of crime, and led them to their deaths.

"The gang leaders here want to play mother and father to the youths. They are beating them like their parents and all."

"We are calling for justice. Most of the deaths of the youths in the area, we have not seen justice for. We are calling for it now."

Rechais was laid to rest on Thursday at the Arima Public Cemetery. Edwards is expected to be buried in the same cemetery after a service on Friday.