One dead, others injured in gunplay around Kingstown

Sporadic gunfire, running and screaming, hand guns, M16 rifles and blood. Not an average day in Kingstown.

But the recent spate of shootings in Paul’s Avenue has many with their ears close to the ground saying that what transpired there earlier this week may just be the beginning.{{more}}

First to feel the wrath of the gun was 20-year-old Jariel Bell better known as Mad Max, who was shot in the head by a masked gunman around 10 O’ clock on Monday morning. Bell narrowly escaped death by running to a nearby shop for refuge.


Muzart Laidlow was found dead at his residence at Campden Park on Friday afternoon with gunshot wounds to the head.

A former calypsonian who was in the vicinity at the time, received a bullet to his leg during the melee.

About four hours later shots again rang out in the area, as the shooter returned to the scene. This time his victim was Isiah Williams also known as ‘Saddy’ who received a bullet in his right hand while fighting off the assailant. The 25-year-old Williams was rushed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where he was treated along with the earlier victims.

The following day as many tried to go about their usual business, the area was rattled once again. This time it was of Olufemi Providence of Largo Heights who was shot in the leg and chest on Wilson Hill as he walked his son to school. Eyewitnesses say that the gunman even pointed his weapon at the five-year-old infant.

Providence’s injuries are reported to be the most serious so far, at press time he was suffering from a collapsed lung.

A constant police presence in the area may have be the reason for the lull that existed over the last few days, but most people are questioning if it may be just a false sense of peace before the shootings begin again.

Meanwhile the authorities are being hampered in their investigations, as victims and most witnesses are reluctant to assist with the apprehension of the shooter or shooters.