Saturday, May 12 2007
www.newsday.co.tt

THE country’s 100th murder was recorded yesterday morning when a Santa Cruz man was gunned down while asleep.

In a separate incident, which took place on Thursday night, a 31-year-old auto mechanic was killed in a drive-by shooting in Arima.

In the first incident, according to a police report, at about 8.15 pm, Kerry Layne, of Temple Street was at a bar along Gunapo Main Road drinking a beer. Police said occupants of a car, which drove by fired several shots hitting Layne about the body. One of the bullets, police said, struck Layne, a father of two, in the head. He died on the spot. The body was removed to the Forensic Science Centre in St James. Police are yet to determine a motive for the killing.

In the second incident, at about 2 am, Gary Dickson, aka Sheldon Alexander, of Ramkissoon Trace, Old Santa Cruz Road, was asleep when gunmen kicked down the door to his downstairs apartment.

Police said the men entered Dickson’s bedroom and shot him several times. Police strongly believe that Dickson’s murder was a reprisal shooting for the death of Keron Hypolite, who was shot seven times about the body while at his Bass Trace, Pipiol Road, Jigger Hill home on Thursday morning. Police said the murder was gang-related.

Speaking with Newsday one of Layne’s relatives, who wished not to be identified, described him as a “no-nonsense kind of guy.”

“He was a kind guy, very hardworking but he was the one to always defend himself as he never stood for nonsense,” the relative said.

Investigations are continuing into both incidents.

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