(Trinidad Guardian) A row over copper wire ended in death on Monday, when a teenager shot a Fyzabad mason once in the chest, puncturing his heart. Kareem Joseph, 28, of Maraj Trace, Fyzabad, died around midday at the San Fernando General Hospital, as a Government team, including Health Minister Therese Baptiste-Cornelis and Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner, toured the facility. Up to late Monday, a 19-year-old suspect was assisting police with investigations.
Police said he was expected to be charged with murder. Joseph’s sister, Anika Forrester, who was at the Accident and Emergency Department, was inconsolable when told of her brother’s death. Police said the killing occurred around 10.30 am, a stone’s throw away from the Mount Moriah Spiritual Baptist Church, Richardson Trace, Fyzabad. Investigators said Joseph was liming at Richardson Trace, with his friend, Adesa Alexander, 25, of Omarees Park, when the teenager walked up to them. Joseph, police said, accused the teenager of stealing a quantity of copper which he had accumulated to sell.
A witness said an argument escalated, following which the teenager pulled out a gun and fired a single shot. The bullet, police said, struck Joseph in the chest. “He collapsed in a drain but managed to crawl out and then he collapsed on the roadway,” the witness recalled. Forrester explained that the bullet travelled through a main artery and became lodged in Joseph’s heart. He died before doctors could do emergency surgery. Forrester said her brother was a former labourer of the Housing Development Corporation who lost his job after being “accused wrongfully” of an offence.
“All he ever wanted to do was to work. He enjoyed working in HDC and when he lost his job he felt it really bad. He wanted to get back his job,” Forrester said. Joseph’s mother, Monica Joseph, called for swift justice. She said her son left home several years ago and went on his own. He later married and had a child but separated from his wife. Investigators said an autopsy would be performed today at the Forensic Science Centre, St James. Senior Supt Sampath, of the South Western Division, is continuing investigations.
Teen murders mason
in row over copper wire
(Trinidad Guardian) A row over copper wire ended in death on Monday, when a teenager shot a Fyzabad mason once in the chest, puncturing his heart. Kareem Joseph, 28, of Maraj Trace, Fyzabad, died around midday at the San Fernando General Hospital, as a Government team, including Health Minister Therese Baptiste-Cornelis and Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner, toured the facility. Up to late Monday, a 19-year-old suspect was assisting police with investigations.
Police said he was expected to be charged with murder. Joseph’s sister, Anika Forrester, who was at the Accident and Emergency Department, was inconsolable when told of her brother’s death. Police said the killing occurred around 10.30 am, a stone’s throw away from the Mount Moriah Spiritual Baptist Church, Richardson Trace, Fyzabad. Investigators said Joseph was liming at Richardson Trace, with his friend, Adesa Alexander, 25, of Omarees Park, when the teenager walked up to them. Joseph, police said, accused the teenager of stealing a quantity of copper which he had accumulated to sell.
A witness said an argument escalated, following which the teenager pulled out a gun and fired a single shot. The bullet, police said, struck Joseph in the chest. “He collapsed in a drain but managed to crawl out and then he collapsed on the roadway,” the witness recalled. Forrester explained that the bullet travelled through a main artery and became lodged in Joseph’s heart. He died before doctors could do emergency surgery. Forrester said her brother was a former labourer of the Housing Development Corporation who lost his job after being “accused wrongfully” of an offence.
“All he ever wanted to do was to work. He enjoyed working in HDC and when he lost his job he felt it really bad. He wanted to get back his job,” Forrester said. Joseph’s mother, Monica Joseph, called for swift justice. She said her son left home several years ago and went on his own. He later married and had a child but separated from his wife. Investigators said an autopsy would be performed today at the Forensic Science Centre, St James. Senior Supt Sampath, of the South Western Division, is continuing investigations.
