The typically quiet community of Carnelian Gardens, Diamond Vale, was violently rocked yesterday morning when 26-year-old Mandela Lewis was shot to death outside a day care centre.
Police reported that Lewis, of Jean Avenue, Diego Martin, went to Carnelian Gardens in his white Toyota Corolla vehicle to drop off his one-year-old daughter at a day care centre located in the area.
Lewis parked his vehicle on the roadway outside the day care centre and removed his daughter and a few bags from the vehicle. As he made his way back to the vehicle after dropping off the young child, it was reported that another man was seen walking towards Lewis. The man pulled out a firearm, and shot several times at the young father — hitting Lewis in his upper chest — before running off on foot and escaping in a nearby track.
Lewis stumbled a few metres before collapsing on the pavement outside of the day care centre, where he died.
The police were immediately notified and a party of officers from the West End Police Station and the Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region I responded. The area was cordoned off, and a District Medical Officer was called onto the scene. Family members and friends of the deceased man eventually arrived at the day care centre.
However, at the time, they did not speak to media personnel on the scene. Residents in the area also chose not to speak with the media, only whispering that they were “shocked” over the incident.
Homicide officers, Acting Inspector Kirk Griffith, Sgt Ulrick Prescott, Corporal Roberts, and PC Romeo are continuing inquiries.
Six years ago on the same date, August 5, 2005, Sherma Roberts, 30, and her neighbour Donna George, 47, were executed — both shot once in the head — at Sherma’s home at Carnelian Gardens, Diamond Vale.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,145090.html