Two men were shot and killed in the same community in Siparia on Saturday night, marking the latest in a string of deadly shootings in recent weeks. The two latest victims were murdered just two nights after another man was gunned down in the area.Two other men were killed in separate shootings last month.Police have not detained anyone in connection with any of the murders.In the latest killings, the victims were identified as Kwame Parris, nicknamed “Six”, aged 29, of Coconut Alley in Siparia, and Teshawn Baptiste, nicknamed “Blackboy”, aged 25, of Lowkie Trace in Penal.
BLOOD ON WALL: The bloodstained wall of a resident’s home in Sennon Village in Siparia following Saturday night’s double homicide which claimed the lives of Kwame Parris, nicknamed “Six”, inset, 29, of Coconut Alley in Siparia, and Teshawn Baptiste, nicknamed “Blackboy”, 25, of Lowkie Trace in Penal. —Photo: SUSAN MOHAMMED
Crime scene investigators retrieved 21 spent shells of 9mm calibre and one live round of 5.56 ammunition from the crime scene.A police report stated that police were contacted around 9 p.m. on Saturday and informed of multiple rounds of gunfire at Sennon Village in Siparia.Responding officers found Parris, unresponsive and bleeding from gunshot wounds, in front a bathroom of his house.The officers were also told of another body nearby and walked to a drain along Railway Road in Sennon Village Extension, where they found the body of Baptiste.Detectives are working to determine a motive for the killings and whether they are linked to the recent murders in the area.Heightened concernsThe back-to-back killings have heightened concerns among residents, who have witnessed five men being shot dead in the community within the past month.When the Express visited the area yesterday, many residents declined to be interviewed for fear of being targeted by criminals.One resident, who spoke briefly and did not give her name, repeatedly said she and her family were traumatised over Saturday night’s killings and the recent spate of gun violence.“My two grandchildren lie down on the ground last night, they were so frightened. They had to leave this morning. It is not nice. But this is a quiet village. These elements are moving into our village,” she said.Another resident, who also spoke about the incident but did not wish to be named, said, “There were multiple shots, high-powered weapons they’re using. I don’t know where they get any money to buy them weapons, but men are arming up themselves. The police really need to be more effective. I think the problem is with the police, they don’t have the tools to investigate properly. They’re trying to solve this crime, and I don’t think that’s enough.”Akinola Sennon, the executive director of the Siparia Deltones Institute and arranger of the Steel Orchestra, said Siparia has been a community of talent, integration, harmony and peace.“We produce winners in Siparia. We produce cultural icons. We’re wealthy. But the loss of life to violence, it’s a sad situation. It gives a reminder of the importance of the work that we do,” said Sennon.“I think the youths need to really become aware of themselves. Wake up daily with a burning fire inside of you, a fire that no man could put out. They also need more institutionalised and intentional mentorship.”The police are appealing to anyone with information that could assist in the investigations to contact the police or Crime StoppersThe double killing has pushed the murder toll to 211.
