A Cunupia businessman was shot several times yesterday after leaving a business establishment in Trincity, in what investigators believe was a targeted attack.
The 50-year-old victim remained in critical condition at hospital last night after the shooting, which occurred around 11.30 am.
Police said the businessman had just exited the FCMC store in the Trincity business district, off the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in Piarco, and was heading towards his black Ford Ranger when he was ambushed.
As he prepared to enter the driver’s seat, a lone gunman of African descent emerged from a gold Nissan Almera that had been parked nearby and opened fire.
The victim reportedly climbed into the passenger seat in an attempt to escape from the opposite side of the vehicle. He then fled on foot towards the rear of the compound, running westward, but the gunman pursued him and fired several more shots.
After leaving the wounded man on the ground, the assailant returned to the waiting vehicle, which sped away from the scene.
Officers from the North Central Area East Task Force responded and transported the victim to hospital for treatment.
A short time later, officers of the North Central West Task Force, acting on information broadcast over police radio, intercepted a gold Nissan Almera bearing the same registration number as the suspected getaway vehicle in the Tunapuna area. The driver, a 20-year-old man from Laventille, was detained by police.
Police said nothing was stolen during the attack, strengthening their belief that the shooting was a planned hit.
