AN employee of the R&J Cell Tech at Gulf City Mall was shot and killed on Tuesday.

Police believe that he was killed in an attempt to target the Maharaj family members, owners of the company.

The shooting took place just before 12 noon near Vehicle Management Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (VMCOTT) building in the vicinity of Union Hall, Cross Crossing, San Fernando.

Saleem Abdool, 21, died while being treated at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Reports are that Abdool was driving a Toyota Hilux when he was shot.

An owner, of R&J Cell Tech, Shane Maharaj, was behind him in an unlicensed Mercedes Benz with a demonstration licence plate.

Shortly before the shooting took place, the two had switched vehicles, police said.

It is suspected that the perpetrators believed Maharaj was driving the Hilux when they shot at him through the driver’s side window.

Abdool lost control of the vehicle and slammed into the back of the Mercedes Benz. The gunmen were able to escape.

In the last two weeks, the Maharaj family has been attacked. Last Friday, a vehicle belonging to the boyfriend of Lisa Maharaj was shot at.

On May 13, Lisa Maharaj was also attacked while driving a Range Rover along South Trunk Road near Halliburton when it was shot at around 10 am that day.

Rabindranath Maharaj had told reporters then, that the last time his family was subjected to criminal elements was ten years ago with a kidnapping, two attempted kidnappings and robberies.

But it was the first time, his daughter was attacked.