crime scene: NWRHA CEO Agatha Carrington, (left), looks through the entrance to the Success/Laventille Health Centre yesterday, following the killing of Lennox Bellerand at the institution. -Photo: MICHEAL BRUCE
SCORES of mothers with their babies in arms had to scamper out of the Success Laventille Health Centre yesterday morning, after gunmen ambushed a 22-year-old man who went there to see a dentist.
Apart from the man killed, there were no other injuries during the brazen attack and the killers remained at large last night.
The victim, Lennox Bellerand, lived in the Success Laventille area with his family and it was shortly after 9 a.m. when both he and his mother went to the centre at Espinet Street, off the Old St Joseph Road, Laventille. Opposite the clinic is the ’Mummy’s Day Care Centre’, with the Redemption Christian Centre nearby.
Eyewitnesses said around 9.40 a.m., Bellerand and his mother were seated in the waiting room of the health centre. All around them were parents with their toddlers, as yesterday was ’clinic day for children’.
What Bellerand did not know was that his killers were seated right in front of him. One of them got up, turned around and shot Bellerand in the back. The other killer grabbed the gun from his accomplice and as the victim fell, shot him once in the head. The two killers then escaped.
Parents, with their toddlers in arms, ran out the building. None of them chose to return to the scene to find out why the man was killed. The children in the nearby day-care centre were said to have screamed out after hearing the gunshots.
When the Express got to the scene a team of officers from the Besson Street CID, led by Det Insp Sahadeo Singh, were already there carrying out investigations. Officers from the Crime Scene Unit were also poring over bits of evidence.
By 11 a.m., Bellerand’s father, also named Lennox Bellerand, arrived at the centre. He identified his son and then walked back out.
’He wasn’t a bad fella,’ he later told reporters, but added that he believed his son was killed because of his refusal to join a gang.
’Anytime yuh live in Laventille and you don’t join no gang they going to kill you,’ he added.
He recalled that two months ago, his son was shot in the buttocks.
’He tell meh people trying to kill him but I just told him live your life. You have to stand firm and be strong and don’t join no gang.’
The police, however, said ’the information we have was that he was in a gang’. However, they admitted there was no criminal record against him.
Bellerand senior also advocated that people come together on a community level and deal with the crime plaguing their areas.
’People have to come together and put their foot down,’ he said.
He also spoke of another son, Rupert Bellerand, who was murdered back in 2006. ’I eh have nothing left,’ he said.
The few people gathered on the scene had nothing much to say about what happened.
’We eh see nothing,’ said one woman, ’I was inside when the thing happen.’
Another man spoke to the Express and when asked where were the members of the public who were in the health centre when the murder occurred replied, ’them gone!’
’Alluh think they coming back here!’ he asked incredulously.
In a release yesterday evening, the North West Regional Health Authority advised that the health centre would remain closed and that they would have to access health services at other health centres located in Morvant, Barataria, San Juan and El Socorro.
It also indicated that counselling services would be offered to employees.
Health Minister Jerry Narace yesterday sent condolences to the victims’ family, saying the incident was unfortunate.
SAUTT also made an appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the killing to contact them at 623-5202 or call Crime Stoppers at 800-TIPS (8477).
Comments: Man shot dead at health centre with babies around
I hope when these 2 idiots are caught, they are not only charged for murder, but for endangering the welfare of children. There should be multipy charges, for every child in the Health Centre, At the time of the shooting. Not that the parents are not important, and were in danger as well...
I am now 69 yrs young(smile) and I grew up in Success Vill, Laventlle and knew the older Bellerand Family,its sad to say they were a wild bunch,known in those days as "Bad Johns" its sad to see the younger ones have not moved out of that image, these kids have to be grand children of those I grew up with, the name also brings back a lot of memories of growing up in a wonderful Village,imagine on my visits to T'dad I cannot even visit and walk the streets there alone, not even in the day. Its so sad.
There is nothing left to be said about these crimes being committed day or night. I agree with the victim's father that it is time to take a stand against the killers of our nation. We have endured enough. The nation is plagued with criminals who have gotten so bold in their exploits that they don't care what time of day it is, or that there are innocent babies around. God have mercy on their souls because they will need it...people are being killed left and right but at least we have a $480 million dollar academy of the perfoming arts...M
Talk to 800 tips, as long as they continue saying they have not seen anything they are in fact supporting these ruthless disgusting young black men.
So they cannot blame anyone but themselves. No one is above the law.
There is little respect left ffor the citizens of Trinbago as far as these creiminals are concerned. It is guaranteed that not one person who sat in that facility including his mother will give a discription of the killers, yet police are expected to know who they are.or we will go to our simplest excuse ffor complacency"the police in on it"
My heart goes out to Carol and Lennox, it is a sad day when you have to bury, your children and itis even worse when you already buried one, I cannot understand how a person can hate so much, to go into a health center with babies and people and kill someone,Lennox was not in any gang, they wanted him to and he always refused, they tried to kill him many times, and although being asked to move away from the area, he decided to stay, because he wanted to stay close to his mother and family.For all who is saying he was in a gang, it is a lie, he was never in a gang. And to the ones who killed him, your day will come,because what goes around comes around, you took his life and so someone will take your lives to.May he rest in peace.CT USA
I feel for Mr Bellerand and I am saddened by the death of yet another young man, however, it seems as though their are conflicting stories about whether or not he (Lennox Bellarand)was involved in gang activitiy. Parents who are rainsing children in todays society need to pay extra attention to their children, what they are doing and their wherabouts for many of the children say one thing, but it's another. I could only hope and pray that the police find the killers and I am certain they are from the area and have done this before. This killing was too brazen and they know that the citizens would not say anything because they fear for thier lives as well.
I am really shaken by this. It is very hard for someone there who witnessed this tragedy to come out and speak out because, they would be in fear for their safety. It a government building... Why isn't there any hidden cameras? Where was the Security? I suggest that the government invest in all the safety equipment such as; metal detectors, Hidden Cameras, and well trained security officers.
Concerned Trini in Miami!
Trinidad is in need of a state of emergency, ASAP. The reasoning behind this call is due to a virus infiltration with the Hip Hop culture. This virus comes by way of cable TV, world wide web sites, and elicit drugs. Therefore, the state of emergency is to shutdown these virus' immediately.
Prime Minister Patrick Manning made a point about the profiteers of "Party Promoters". This group is the only one that will suffer shold the government act to choke off the Hip Hop culture virus. This might be difficult for some people to comprehend, but from a spiritual analysis, all of the elements for lawlessness are present in the Hip Hop culture: the music content promotes lawless behavior, disrect for person --- the clothing promotes gangsterism --- go down the line and you can sum it up.
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7).
Our society is sowing seeds of discord into the minds of our youths just for the sake of "PARTY".
These poor children must be so traumatised. Where was the police officers or security guards assigned to this health centre? With all of the murders in the country, you would think that the authorities would take the necessary precautions to protect citizens. Did they have surveillance cameras installed? And the people, you've got to speak up and help the police otherwise there will be no end to these murders. I'm sorry but those bastards are some cold blooded monsters with no heart and soul. Don't let them get away. Mr Philbert you need to provide top-notch protection for the witnesses who care enough about the society to risk their lives by identifying these killers.
HELP| our crime situation seems to be getting worst with each passing day.yesterday,s execution style murder of a patient at a local dental office was very ruthless and brazen as this attack was carried out in the presence of the dead man,s mother, babies and other adults. it seems the tnt police are unable to cope with the spiral rise in crime, they are very slow in responding to the crime scene,which gives criminals confidence that will not be caught.it is now time for the government to act quickly and have the police train in mordern crime fighting techniques and provide them with better equipment to fight crime,or criminals will take firm control of this beautiful country.
My question is to the gun men if they can read this what did you guys accomplish by killing this kid who did not want to join this gang,and i where was the mother? wasn't she next to him? oh i forget she aint see notin to.
It is such a sad thing to see that this man, has been gun down inside a health facility,and nobody saw what had happen it is a shame,it is time for people to stand up and put these criminals behind bars,how long is this going to go on for,And to see there is a children day care center near by,people start doing what is right for a change for TNT,Time to stand up.
No security at the health center? How about any witnesses willing to come foward? How about the death penalty for this crime? When are the people of Trinidad going to stand up against the madness? When are you so called MP in Parliment going to enact laws for crimes instead of stupid things like selling one cigarette? Give me a break TRINIDAD!!!!!
Take some of men Manning's security detail and use them at these public facilities.Manning has at least two hundred times the U.S. president's protection,when you factor in the size of the population,his responsibilities and territory to cover.Aubert Modeste
Where are we safe ? Is there a safe place in Trinidad we could go without getting kill. What about the respect killing him in a health centre in front of all mother and childrens. Most of all in front of his mother. Where is the respect ? I really hope the police get these fools. Airborne Trini
I do agree with the previous person about a State of Emergency. Its about time that we enforce the law in Trinidad and Tobago. These young criminals is sending a message that they are in control well its about time a message is sent back. The citizens of Trinidad and Tobago no longer wants to put up with this therefore I strongly support a State of Emergency, common young ones bring out the guns for the Police and the Army unit, fair game we are ready for the showdown. Watching cable gives you these ideas leave the innocent alone, man up and go shoot the Police and the Soldiers. Betcha you wouldn't dare!!
Site designed and managed by CCN New Ventures. Managing Editor: Omatie Lyder, Head of
TV News; Dominic Kalipersad, Copyright 2009 All rights reserved. Trinidad
Express 35 Independence Sq, Port of Spain, Trinidad. Express newspaper and
TV6 are subsidiaries of One Caribbean Media (www.onecaribbeanmedia.net)
Powered by www.cpsgsoftware.com
