PM angered by murder of dad, girl, 5
The brutal murder of five-year-old Anika Guerra and her father, Enrico Guerra, has angered Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, who has described it as the worst kind of “barbarism.”
In a post sent just before midnight on Wednesday, Dr Rowley condemned the killer who shot the child five times.
Admitting his anger at the double tragedy, the PM wrote, “Tonight, I am shocked and angered at the barbarism that could result in violent criminal conduct with total disregard for human life in our country, which could see an adult with a firearm deliver several shots into the body of a five-year-old child.”
He continued, “This and acts like these represent the worst of what we are and what we have produced.”
However, he promised the authorities would pursue the criminal element which currently has T&T under siege.
“As we continue to provide alternatives in many ways, hoping to encourage a human and humane response, we will also relentlessly pursue those who so wantonly assault our safety and security.
“Our national efforts must not waver, the heartless perpetrators will be identified, and justice will be served towards the end of eliminating this scourge from our country.”
On Wednesday, former PNM councillor Francis Paul disclosed that businesspeople were being taxed by criminals in Moruga. He said crime was out of hand and he called on the TT Police Service to bring in the army and break down doors until the criminals were caught.
Little Anika died after being shot multiple times in the left side of her face, lower back, and arm. She succumbed to her injuries at the Princes Town Hospital at 10.20 pm on Tuesday, less than half an hour after the shooting. Guerra died on the spot at his Poui Trace, St Mary’s Village, Moruga home, while trying to shield her.
Guerra, fondly known as Rico, owned Enrico’s Corner Mart. He was outside the business with his friend, Juston Weston, 30, of St Mary’s Village, at 9.45 pm when a gunman opened fire on them. Guerra’s wife, Anastacia Hamilton, was inside the minimart at the time, combing her daughter’s hair. When the gunshots started, Guerra tried to escape by running inside his shop, but was closely followed by the masked gunman, who was armed with an automatic rifle.
Hamilton took cover, trying to shield her daughter as gunshots ricocheted around them. When the gunfire stopped, Guerra was lying dead but Anika was still alive. Weston suffered a gunshot wound to his right forearm and has since been discharged from the hospital.
Police believe the bullets were meant for Guerra and although the gunman saw the child, he continued to fire at her as well.
At the crime scene, police recovered a live 5.56 round and several spent casings with various markings, including “L02,” “1m 1 04,” “TZ 19,” “LC 20,” and “FC 223 REM.” Police said the markings suggest a mix of ammunition types, potentially indicating multiple sources of the ammunition.
Investigators are working on a lead, though further details have not been released.
Autopsies are scheduled for today at the Forensic Science Centre in St James, with the funerals expected early next week. Meanwhile, as Moruga residents mourned their deaths yesterday, fear and sadness pervaded the community.
While PM Rowley condemned the killings, residents told Guardian Media they were sceptical about whether justice will be served.
As such, many have turned to prayer, hoping for divine intervention.
St Mary’s Police Community Council secretary Annisa Khan-Mohammed said the community will hold a candlelight vigil in honour of the Guerra family, who were well-known in the St Mary’s area, on Saturday.
Describing the quiet village as “very sombre,” Khan-Mohammed said, “Rico and his family were loved by everyone. His mother Hesper Alidarsoo is a stalwart in the community and Rico was a spirited, jovial person. Everybody knew him.”
Khan explained the purpose of the vigil, saying, “We are holding this vigil to stand in solidarity with the family, to let them know that the community is with them. This family has always supported the community, and now it’s time for us to give back.”
She said since the murders, law-abiding residents have been living in fear.
Khan confirmed police patrols were present during the wake on Wednesday, but emphasised the need for sustained efforts.
“We feel that not enough is being done at the helm to address crime. Patrols are not enough. We need policies and strategies that work.
“We want to use this vigil as a platform to highlight the broader issues we’re facing—crime, health, deteriorating roads. Our community is breaking down, and we need to come together to address these challenges,” she said.
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