The cold-blooded killing of special prosecutor Randall Hector on Tuesday night, as he walked out of a church service with his wife and two young children in Newtown, Port-of-Spain, has left the legal fraternity in tears but also wary of the message being sent by those who reportedly orchestrated the shooting.
The shocking murder, which was described as a “hit” in many quarters, has been labelled as gang-related by the police.
However, this theory was dismissed by members of the public, legal luminaries and Hector’s peers yesterday, who all claimed his death had been carefully and deliberately planned.
The 43-year-old father of two was shot multiple times at 7.30 pm, as he left the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church, Stanmore Avenue, Queen’s Park West.
It was alleged that as Hector and his wife, among others, walked to their respective vehicles upon conclusion of the service, a black SUV and a Nissan B15 pulled alongside Hector’s car and occupants opened fire on him, hitting him squarely in the chest.
The assailants reportedly sped off as Hector fell to the ground.
Persons nearby rushed to assist and took Hector to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7.51 pm.
The shooting took place in full view of other parishioners as Hector walked to his car, which was parked at the corner of Stanmore Avenue and Albion Street.
Hector and his family had attended the service between 5.30 pm and 7.30 pm, where he delivered a brief sermon.
Unaware of the fate that awaited him outside the church, it was a confident Hector who wished all present and online, “A very happy, a very prosperous and a spirit-filled New Year.”
At the time, he said, “God has been very good to us.”
He recalled being welcomed into the bosom of the SDA movement when he first joined the church.
In what can only be described as foretelling, Hector went on, “We have had a very bloody year in 2024 for Trinidad and Tobago. Right now, we are under a State of Emergency but regardless of what is happening out there, God has protected us.”
At the time, he proclaimed, “God has sustained us and we are here to say God we are with you, for now and forever more.”
Officers later recovered a total of 15 9mm spent shell casings in the area where Hector was shot.
Hector’s murder, which was the last to occur for 2024, pushed the yearly murder toll to 624, which is the highest ever recorded in this country’s history.
Hector lived at Irish Avenue, Glencoe, with his family.
Neighbours yesterday described the house as one where laughter and music was always heard, as they said Hector was a “family man.” They said he would usually be seen playing with his children outside, and was an upstanding member in the quiet community.
Testifying as to Hector’s unblemished character, attorney Ian Brooks said, “He was an extremely good lawyer. He possessed very sterling qualities and he was also an extremely good human being.”
Shocked and dazed yesterday, he continued, “He gave of himself to a number of persons both in and out of law. I can say the profession has suffered a tremendous loss with the death of Mr Hector. He lived his life as an example for others and it was evident in how he communicated with others.”
Guardian Media learned that Hector had been appointed the special prosecutor in a matter due to begin shortly, involving a high-profile suspect believed to be a Port-of-Spain gang leader.
Another member of the legal fraternity, who requested not to be named, said “There is a clear indication that it is not a robbery and that they came for him specifically.
“While it is circumstantial, one can say that from what we know so far...this was a message being sent.”
This attorney, along with two others, wondered about the circumstances further, asking, “Why kill him when another prosecutor would simply be appointed in his place?”
They speculated that the killing was meant to scare persons away instead, and also dismissed the motive of robbery, as they said nothing had been taken from Hector when he was shot.
