Waterford man executed, two hurt, in midday shooting

A middle-aged man was shot dead execution-style as gunfire shattered the midday quiet of the Waterford community of Bellevue, St Michael, injured two others and sent others scampering for safety.

As the dust settled on the shocking daylight shooting, Erwin Redman Thomas, 49, was lifeless on the ground while his two companions were left nursing injuries.

Shocked residents who got a glimpse of the brutal incident expressed alarm at the slaying.

“My knees buckled,” said one shaken resident, while another said, “I saw two men running goin’ through the gully; I was scared.”

District “A” officers who were called to the scene discovered Thomas’  body on the ground. He was later pronounced dead by a doctor.

Police spokesman Acting Inspector Rodney Inniss said Thomas was sitting outside his home in the company of a 13-year-old boy and a 25-year-old man when around 11.50 a.m. two men approached them and opened fire. As the trio scampered the man fell.  The gunmen caught up to Thomas and several more shots were heard.

The 25-year-old was taken by car to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital while the teenager suffered slight injuries.

Police are appealing to anyone who might have seen or have knowledge about the incident to contact the District “A”  Police Station at 430-7242 /7246 or Police Emergency at 211. (BT)