A PLANNED visit to the barber turned into a hospital visit for Matthew Nicholls on his day off from work after he was shot in Beetham Gardens yesterday.

Police reports state just after 1 p.m yesterday, Nicholls, 21, was walking towards the Priority Bus Route traffic lights from Phase 4, Beetham Gardens, when a gunman approached him and opened fire.

Nicholls was hit several times about the upper body.

He was taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and remains there in a serious condition.

Residents said Nicholls, an avid music lover, disc jockey and footballer, was not involved in any criminal activity, pointing out his long running job at Hi-Lo Supermarket which has spanned three years and counting.

’That was my real good friend, he was real sweet, he always was up for a (party),’ said Melissa Taylor of Nicholls.

Other residents stated Nicholls was especially helpful in volunteer work and community events and was fairly popular with some of the women in the area.

Officers from the Besson Street Police Station are continuing investigations into the incident.