A lime for family and friends held at Edric Connor Park, Mayaro, ended in tragedy when a gunman opened fire on the group killing one person and injuring two others yesterday morning.
Learie “Lay-Lay” Pierre, 24, of Pierre Village died on the spot yesterday morning after he was shot on the right side collar bone, while his relative Darren Pierre, 42, of Alexis Street, was shot in the right leg, and Keron Williams, 32, of Pierre Village, Mayaro, was shot in his abdomen.
Police reported that around 2 am yesterday they responded to a shooting a short distance from the Mayaro Police Station.
They found one man dead and two others bleeding from gunshot wounds. The wounded men, Pierre and Williams, were taken to the Sangre Grande District Hospital where they underwent emergency surgery and were warded in stable conditions up to late yesterday.
A relative, who asked not to be named, said they were liming, drinking and having fun. Lay-Lay was helping to share the food and then he sat and ate crab and dumpling.
The relative said about one hour later, around 1:45 am, everybody who remained went to the front tent in the park. A friend showed Lay-Lay something on his cellphone and he began to laugh. The relative said she was returning with spoons for Lay-Lay’s friends to eat when she heard gunshots.
“A bullet fly pass my head, luckily I was not hit,” she said. People started scampering for safety. The relative said she saw Lay-Lay staggering towards a table and then he fell on the ground with blood oozing from his neck.
When the Guardian went to Mayaro yesterday, relatives were preparing for Lay-Lay’s wake.
Kizzy, Lay-Lay’s sister, said the last time she spoke with him was around 7 pm on Friday when he called to ask where he could find his V-neck black T-shirt.
“I told him to check with Mum. This was the last time I spoke with my brother. I was later awakened by my parents who informed me that Lay-Lay was shot and killed at the party. I went to the park, where I saw my brother’s dead body lying on the ground. Tears rolled out my eyes.”
They called for his killer to be arrested and justice served. Lay-Lay was described as a quiet man who was always smiling. They said he never troubled anyone and was not involved in any illegal activities.
Insp Carlton Mahabir, Sgts Mikey Williams and Suresh Ramsahai, Cpl Narvin Maharaj, PCs Denoon, Ali , Gillard and WPC James visited the scene.
District Medical Officer Dr Omelia Gray viewed the body and ordered its removal to the Sangre Grande District Hospital Mortuary.
The body will be taken to the Forensic Science Centre tomorrow for an autopsy.
Sgt Ramsahai of Southern Homicide Bureau is investigating.
RALPH BANWARIE
Man chopped during row
Meanwhile, the forearm of a Mayaro fisherman was almost severed when a man accused him of robbing his family and attacked him with a cutlass.
The incident took place on Friday while Al Clement and his attacker were liming at Beast Bar, Ortoire Village, Mayaro.
According to police reports, around 10.30 am Clement, 32, of Ortoire Village, was at the bar when the man accused him of robbing his family a few years ago.
Clement and the man got into a heated argument, which led to the suspect taking a cutlass from inside his car and chopping Clement on his left forearm.
He was taken to the Mayaro District Facility and then transferred to the Sangre Grande District Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. It is not certain whether the doctors were able to reattach his forearm.
A 35-year-old farmer from Mayaro was held and is assisting police with their investigations. PC Chan is investigating.
—SASCHA WILSON
