(Trinidad Express) A single fatal gunshot wound to the back.
This was what pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov yesterday listed as the cause of death for 23-year-old John John resident Nigel “Black Boy” Caesar.
Caesar’s autopsy was yesterday performed by Alexandrov at the Forensic Science Centre, St James.
Caesar’s cousin, Raquel Fraser, yesterday witnessed the autopsy.
On Tuesday, Caesar was shot dead by police officers, a stone’s throw away from his family’s John John home. His killing sparked clashes between the police and soldiers and the John John residents.
Police claimed Caesar was killed after he opened fire on them. But residents claimed Caesar was shot while running away from the police. Caesar was unarmed, the residents said.
Alexandrov yesterday said the autopsy showed Caesar was shot in the back and the bullet exited his chest.
The bullet ruptured the “orifice of the aorta to the heart”, Alexandrov said.
Caesar lost four pints of blood and suffered “acute internal blood loss”, Alexandrov said. Caesar was “on the move” at the time of receiving the gunshot wound, he said.
Alexandrov said Caesar also suffered “typical abrasions” to his forehead consistent with a fall. Caesar did not brace the fall and may have died before he hit the ground, Alexandrov said.
Swabs were also taken from Caesar’s hands to determine whether he had recently fired a weapon, Alexandrov said. Those results are expected to be received in two weeks.
Fraser yesterday told the Express she hoped the investigation into Caesar’s killing would be above-board. She called for the officer involved in her cousin’s killing to be suspended, pending the results of the investigation promised by acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams.
“I want to know that the police (who killed Caesar) will be suspended during the investigation, and that will really show that they are serious about pursuing the case,” Fraser said. “If by Saturday we do not hear anything, it will be more blocking (of the roads) and more riots, and if they feel that the riot on Tuesday was something, they have not seen anything yet,” she said.
Fraser said she was upset by politicians making comments on the case without the matter being properly investigated.
“I know that people get shot and police say they would investigate, but they eventually end up doing nothing. I really want them to look into it (Caesar’s killing) because people voicing their opinions and saying all kind of thing,” Fraser said.
“If they (the police) find him (Caesar) and they find he look suspicious, well then carry him down and lock him up. But they had no right to shoot him down. I just want the Government and them to look into it. If he was in a shootout with them (police), how come he only got one gun shot to the back. That’s suspicious,” she said.
“I feel all police pick up for one another. Because if (National Security Minister) Jack Warner could say that from his investigations he hears that Black Boy was shooting at the police, that means all of them saying what they have to say already,” Fraser said.
Caesar’s funeral is scheduled to be held today, under Muslim rites, at the basketball court in John John.
