Police say they are pursuing several leads in the murder of businessman and former state of emergency detainee Danny Guerra but they have yet to establish an official motive up to yesterday.
Police sources said investigators are examining at least three possible directions as they attempt to determine why Guerra was targeted last Friday.
ON THE SCENE: The DG Homes headquarters on Oropouche Road in Sangre Grande where owner Danny Guerra was ambushed and killed in his black Hilux, background, on Friday. —Photo: ROBERT TAYLOR
However, officers cautioned that the information formed part of ongoing intelligence gathering and should not be treated as established evidence.
Around 5.15 p.m. last Friday, Guerra was at his office, DG Homes, located at the corner of Guy Trace and North Oropouche Road, Sangre Grande, and was preparing to leave when he entered his black Toyota Hilux.
Two masked men exited a white Nissan Tiida that had pulled alongside Guerra’s vehicle. The men opened fire on the vehicle before returning to the car and fleeing east along Oropouche Road.
Guerra sustained multiple injuries and was transported to the Sangre Grande Hospital by a motorist.
He was later pronounced dead at the hospital at 5.38 p.m.
First responders WPC Joseph and PC Mohammed of the Sangre Grande Criminal Investigations Department arrived at the scene around 5.25 p.m. and began initial enquiries.
Officers of the Scene of Crime Unit processed and photographed the area and collected items of evidential value.
During subsequent searches within the Sangre Grande district, officers of the Eastern Division Task Force located a white Nissan Tiida abandoned along River Road off the Toco Main Road.
The vehicle and Guerra’s vehicle were later taken to the Special Evidence Recovery Unit camp at Cumuto for further examination.
Also visiting the scene were W/Asp Steele-Williams, A/Inspector Harper and A/Inspector Ramdeen.
Speaking with the media on Saturday, Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified theories about the killing, stating that speculation could undermine investigative efforts.
He said police would rely on verifiable information and evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, and he appealed to anyone with credible information to contact homicide detectives.
Cpl Ali of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region 2, is continuing enquiries.
Meanwhile, the Trinidad and Tobago Aggregate Producers Association (TTAPA) has expressed condolences following Guerra’s killing.
“Mr Guerra, who was shot dead outside his office in Sangre Grande last week, was a prominent figure in the country’s quarrying and construction materials sector. He played a key role in supplying aggregates and other essential materials used in the building of roads, homes, and infrastructure projects across Trinidad and Tobago,” the TTAPA stated in a release.
“On behalf of TTAPA, we extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr Danny Guerra. The aggregate industry relies on the efforts of many individuals and businesses, and we recognise the role that Mr Danny Guerra played in this sector, supporting national development,” said Nigel Tenia, president of the association.
The association extended its sympathies to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Police carried out what was described as a major operation in Manuel Congo, Guanapo, on October 9 and last year, and officers shut down a quarry which they described as “illegal”.
Guerra and 17 others were arrested while a processing plant, trucks and other heavy machinery were seized.
Guerra was granted $50,000 bail on October 11.
Buffy Mischke
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