Mini mart owner Enrico Guerra was the latest past pupil of the Princes Town West Secondary (formerly Princes Town Senior Comprehensive) who died from gun violence, leaving his former schoolmates, friends and relatives shattered.
An eerie calm settled over the grieving community of St Mary's Village in Moruga on August 22, less than two days after Guerra, 34, and his five-year-old daughter, Anika Guerra, were gunned down at his business place.
Guerro ran Enrico Corner Mart at the corner of Poui Road and Moruga Main Road, in front of the family's home.
Guerra, also called Zico, would have turned 35 in November, and Anika turned five a few days ago, on August 13. She was set to attend primary school at the start of next month's school year.
At 11.34 pm on August 21, the Prime Minister took to Facebook to express his disgust over the double murder.
Dr Rowley said he was shocked and angered at the barbarism that could result in violent criminal conduct with total disregard for human life in the country, which could see an adult with a gun deliver several shots into the body of a five-year-old child.
"This and acts like these represent the worst of what we are and what we have produced. As we continue to provide alternatives in very many ways hoping to encourage a human and humane response, we will also relentlessly pursue those who so wantonly assault our safety and security," Rowley said.
"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."
Last month, on July 13, the body of Guerra's schoolmate and close friend Shakem Ano Charles, 32, of Indian Walk, in Moruga, was found with gunshot wounds in a bushy area off Sunrees Road in Penal.
The TT RideShare driver and father of two went missing on July 9, the last date anyone saw him alive.
A now-viral video shows Guerra speaking about life and death after attending Charles' funeral. Like other mourners, Guerra was still wearing T-shirts bearing Charles' image.
Guerra said no one knew what tomorrow brought, and called on people to appreciate life.
He also gave a toast to Charles as well as to another slain schoolmate, Stephon Richardson, 30. In October 2020, Richardson, who worked as a prison officer, was shot dead in Indian Walk outside the family's home.
Another schoolmate, Carlos Modeste, 31, was shot dead in Rio Claro on August 3 when he went to collect money from someone. Speaking to Newsday, Charles' mother, Margaret Charles, referred to crime in the country, saying, "When will it end?"
[caption id="attachment_1104228" align="alignnone" width="719"] Anika and Enrico Guerra -[/caption]
She said the family was still trying to cope. She also confirmed that Charles and Guerra were schoolfriends.
At Charles' funeral, his best friend Quincy Jones paid tributes, saying Charles loved hugging everybody.
Jones ended by saying, "I love you, bro. Until we meet again, please give Stephon a hug for me."
Guerra's father, Andy L
