Soca artiste Troydon "Blazer" Cruickshank, whose chequered life included charges of murder and drug and ammunition possession, was shot dead by three men who ran into his yard yesterday.

Cruickshank, who was standing with relatives outside, was shot several times in the chest. He died at the scene.

The shooting occurred at Mayers Lane, off Crissy Terrace, Enterprise, Chaguanas, around 10.15 a.m. The area is considered a crime hot-spot.

Cruickshank's manager, Sheyna Weston, said, "He was liming with relatives outside his home when three men ran into the yard and opened fire. The men were targeting Blazer, as no one else died. His cousin had a minor injury. The men then ran away. Blazer made some bad choices in his life, but he was a good man. He always put his family and friends before himself."

Cruickshank's break-out song "Wrong Timing" in 2001 brought him national attention, and he had another hit in 2007 with the song "All Night Long". He was a finalist in last year's Power Soca Monarch competition.

Cruickshank, 31, lived with his wife, Makeda Sergeant, and their three children.

Weston said, "I think Blazer was misunderstood over the years. You cannot deny the fact that he had negative things around him, but he was a friendly person."

Police have classified the murder as gang-related.

Last year, Cruickshank was arrested by officers of the Central Division Task Force in connection with a report that his vehicle was seen being driven away from the scene of a crime. Cruickshank was, however, released from custody after he spent 48 hours at the Chaguanas Police Station. He was cleared by officers of any wrongdoing in relation to the crime.

In 2006, Cruickshank was freed of a charge of murdering his brother after the police failed to find its star witness and the State attorney did not appear. He was charged with the July 2005 murder of his 24-year-old brother Dillon, who was shot in the head at the family's home.

In 2008, he appeared in the Chaguanas Magistrate Court charged with possession of marijuana and ammunition and was out on $45,000 bail.

Weston said Cruickshank was working on his tune for the upcoming Carnival season.

"He was working on a song called "Keep them Talking" and he was supposed to start recording soon. Last year his hit was "Jumpy" and he did really well," she said.