Sascha Wilson
Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
Months after he fled his home after it was firebombed twice, a 58-year-old man was gunned down as he left a casino in San Fernando on Wednesday night.
Ricky Loach, who was described as a professional gambler, was shot by an assailant as he entered his vehicle in the carpark of V’s Members Club at V’s Plaza in Union Hall.
A person who knew Loach told Guardian Media that he owed debts, but neither the police nor relatives could confirm this yesterday.
Based on CCTV footage circulating on social media, the shooting appeared to be a hit.
Initial reports stated around 11 pm, Loach left the casino and entered his vehicle, a white Toyota Axio, parked on the western side of the car park. A man exited the back seat of a parked Nissan Tiida, walked towards Loach and shot him. The gunman then returned to the Tiida and drove off. Loach was found slumped behind the steering wheel.
When Guardian Media visited his home at Mon Desir Road, a few relatives and friends had gathered and were in shock.
Earlier this year, in January and February, his home was firebombed, prompting him to move out, according to a relative who requested anonymity. She said he lived alone and stayed downstairs his home.
Recalling the first time the house was firebombed, she said someone threw a flammable object through an upstairs window of the house. In the second attempt, someone set fire to a room downstairs the house.
She said Loach moved out without telling anyone where he went, but they spoke to him on the phone. She said she last spoke with him a month ago.
The relative admitted that he was a gambler, but as far as she knew, he had no enemies. She recalled that Loach told her he did not know why his home was firebombed.
“I asked him if he had any enemies, and he said no. We really have no idea what happened.”
However, she believes that his murder may be linked to the attempted arson.
Officers from the Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region 3 are investigating.
