The head of the Central Division, acting Senior Superintendent Kenny McIntyre, says there is no evidence” that the shooting incident involving 37-year-old Rooplal Rampersad, a DJ who was providing music for a candidate for the ruling Peoples National Movement on Friday night was “politically motivated.”
Speaking to the T&T Guardian yesterday McIntyre said the investigation is “on going and we have one or two favourable leads but there is no evidence to indicate the incident was politically motivated.”
He would not say whether they were close to making an arrest. Rampersad was shot while standing on the top of the music truck which was accompanying PNM candidate for Enterprise South Ronald Heera.
Both Heera and Rampersad told the T&T Guardian they did not believe the incident was politically motivated. They believe that Rampersad was hit by a stray bullet.
Rampersad said: “There are bars in the area and there were a lot of men liming.” Even so he is urging both politicians and citizens to watch their content as the Local Government elections roll in to the final stretch. “Keep it clean, keep the campaign clean, no violence,” he urged.
The incident happened near a bar in Montrose on Friday night as they were making their way to the PNM meeting at La Clave Street. Rampersad said: “I was on top of the truck and all of a sudden I feel something pinch me. When I look, I realise it have blood coming from my hand. That’s when I realise I was shot.”
The Police were alerted and he was taken to the Chaguanas Medical Facility where he was treated and discharged.
The pellet is still lodged in his left lower arm.
He will undergo surgery on Tuesday morning at the Mt Hope Medical Complex. He said: “The doctor told me it went in easy but to take it out will be harder. They will have to feel for it.”
Doctors have told him that “it will take a week or two for the hand to heal.” He admitted he may not be able to use it “but we will see.
I lucky to be alive, a little bit again and it could have hit me in my chest. I thank God is just my hand.”
Rampersad has been working the Enterprise area with Heera for the past five years.
He said: “Nothing like this ever happened. We always have nice vibes.” Heera told the T&T Guardian he intended to”continue with business as usual.”
MCINTYRE: WE HEIGHTENING SECURITY
Head of the Central Division Acting Senior Superintendent Kenny McIntyre said: “We are heightening the level of safety and security because we do not want any untoward violence in the division.”
He said even before the recent incident police had stepped up surveillance in the area.
“You will recall two weeks ago we had a couple of murders. I want to bring crime down and we are working on it. Already there us a gradual decline in criminal activity because of the high visibility of officers,” he added.
McIntyre said he intended to hold town meetings “to get the people on board so that we can fight crime on a united front. I also intend to walk the talk and will be out in the field with my men. I want to lead from the front,” he said.
RACIST LETTERS
In another incident PNM candidate for St James West, Ronald Ramkissoon, allegedly received two anonymous racist letters in his mailbox. A report was made to the St James Police. Checks on Monday revealed that the Woodbrook police are also assisting in the investigation.
POLITICIANS WEIGH IN
On Sunday PRO for the PNM, Stuart Young, urged whoever was behind the incidents “to cease “immediately and desist.”
Yesterday shadow local government Minister for the UNC Dr Suruj Rambachan told the T&T Guardian “all political parties should condemn in the strongest way any attempt to intimidate voters.
We have always been a peaceful and democratic country and we have a duty to maintain that peace,.” he said.