Port-of-Spain and Northern Division continue to lead the country in homicides this past year, with the police boasting of a high detection rate. Revenge, drug-related deaths, deaths through altercations and during robberies have increased this past year. Gang-related murders, domestic violence, and unclassified homicides have decreased. These figures were revealed in a report of probable causes of homicides compiled by the Homicide Bureau. Up to October 27, the Homicide Bureau had reported a total of 436 homicides as compared to 451 last year. The majority of the killings took place in Port-of-Spain and Northern Division, the report states. There were 259 or 57.4 per cent of the reported killings last year stemming from gang violence as opposed to 153 or 35.1 per cent for this year so far.
The report identifies a second cause as drug-related activity which was reported at 58 or 13.3 per cent compared with 32 or 7.1 per cent last year. Sixty-eight deaths were due to robbery as opposed to 55 last year. Over the past five years, the Ministry of National Security reported 120 homicides due to domestic violence. It peaked at 26 last year but was reduced by nine this year. The statistics show an increase over last year in the detection rate of 26.4 per cent for homicides. There was a total of 13 unclassified homicides. However, eight bodies found included skeletal remains, and five other reports were listed as unknown motive. Several murders committed between 2003 and 2008 were also solved this year.
State witnesses
The statistics indicate just one state witness was killed in 2009. However, Guardian files show at least four more State witnesses as having been murdered. On January 3, state witness Sultan "Beads" King was shot dead at Observatory Street, Port-of-Spain. On February 18, state witness, Andre Flores, 23, of PNM Road, was shot dead in Mayaro. State witness Alicia Kizzy McKenzie, 29, was killed in Marabella. She was a witness in the murder of Jason Fullerton. State witness Terrance "Barney" Romain, 46, was shot dead on March 31 at Romain's Hilltop Lane in Mt D'Or. He was scheduled to give evidence in a wounding case at the Tunapuna Magistrates' Court.
Contentious deaths
On January 19, Devon Joseph, 27, and his wife Kimlin, 28, her cousin, Kyle Joseph, 14, were killed at Phase One, Powder Magazine in Cocorite. They were found hog-tied with their throats slit. Gail Joseph, of Siparia, was found dead on June 3 at Manzanilla beach. She was reported missing after having met an Internet date. The autopsy revealed she was strangled to death. Meanwhile, on June 24, Camille Daniel, 39, was shot dead by robbers at West End Police Station. In an attempt to save the life of her friend, Daniel drove into the station while being robbed by gunmen. The body of missing ten-year-old Tecia Henry was found on June 17 at Block 8 in Laventille, after she had gone missing for three days from her John John home.
On November 7, prisons officer Ian Seegobin, 34, was shot dead in Arouca. After Seegobin's death, prisons officers claimed they were at war with members of the underworld. As the carnage continued, 18 "PH" drivers were reportedly killed in separate incidents. Five men were shot dead at a birthday bash in a club on September 13. The men killed were: Ray James, 23, of Jackson Street, Curepe; Damian Punette, 24, of Knowles Street; Hakeem Vickles, 17, of Bellesmythe Street; Keron Charles, 24, of Armos Vale Road, Moriah; and Glen Morris, 26, of Five Rivers, Arouca.
