Killings hit record 260 as Belmont man gunned down

BY ROBERT ALONZO
http://www.guardian.co.tt

Police Commissioner Trevor Paul said yesterday the Police Service would do its best to address crime in 2005.

However, he said, "Crime is not the total responsibility of the service.

"We (the country) have a collaborative effort and share the responsibility to have the problem of crime addressed."

Paul said the police had a role to play as an institution "but we (the police) are not the only ones to play that role."

The Police Commissioner said the service remained committed to fighting crime.

He said other institutions had the duty to share in that responsibility to have better civilians.

He did not want to name the organisations, though.

Paul made the statement as the murder rate for 2004 climbed to a record high of 260 yesterday, with the killing of a man who was accosted and shot in Gonzales, Belmont.

A total of 229 people were murdered in 2003.

The victim was identified as Reynold Mohammed, 21, also known as "Elliot." He lived at St John’s Street, Gonzales.

Homicide detectives said they had no clear motive for the killing, but were looking for suspects. Several people have been interviewed.

Police said Mohammed was walking along Lange Street around 7.30 am when, on reaching Jubilee Street, he was confronted by gunmen.

Residents told police they heard five gunshots and when they investigated, they found Mohammed’s body on the roadway.

A report was made and policemen from Belmont Police station responded.

The district medical officer viewed and ordered the body removed to the mortuary, pending an autopsy.

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