Public support for Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith has been growing, and the Police Service is being seen in a positive light in some quarters. But while social media memes continue to elevate his reputation as Trinidad’s White Knight, one Carenage family has been reminded for just about a month that the crime situation in T&T is far from being fully addressed.
On November 14 Stacy John received word that her 20-year-old son Shaquille John had been shot during a drive-by shooting.
The aspiring mechanic of Resurrection, Upper Haig Street, finished work on that day and stopped off at a savannah in the area where some of his friends had gathered at around 9 pm.
He had only reconciled with his father a week prior and agreed to work in his garage, eager to fulfil his dream.
Gunmen in a Nissan AD Wagon ended that dream when they rolled up alongside the group and opened fire on them.
John had his back turned to the vehicle when the shots rang out, unaware of the danger as his friends scattered.
He died at the St James Medical Facility.
Today, the Gary Griffith memes torture Ms John, as her son’s murder remains unsolved.
She contacted the Guardian on Friday, asking that we send a message to the commissioner, asking him to solve the crime.
“I am asking Gary to solve his murder please, my firstborn was taken away for no reason. Crime must stop and all these innocent killings gotta stop,” said John.
The family had received word from people in the area that Shaquille John was not the intended target in the drive-by attack.
There had been an ongoing turf war between gang members who reside in Haig Street and Seaview Terrace.
“They sending words to say sorry, oh they ain’t come for he. It could never bring him back, he had dreams.”
These words brought little comfort to his mother, who still feels great sadness due to the void created by her son’s death.
“How to live, how can I live with piece of me gone?” John asked.
“Justice is ah must. Too many mothers crying. I gotta find it within my self to deal with my loss while they living normal. It left a mother, grandmother, brother, father and so many friends still asking why and grieving. My life will never be the same, he gone too soon. Help me please, Gary,” John pleaded.