(Trinidad Guardian) An 11-year-old boy was killed during a shooting along Laventille Road yesterday afternoon, while the gunmen’s intended target escaped with minor injuries.
Ezekiel Huggins, who would have celebrated his 12th birthday on July 6, succumbed to his injuries whilst undergoing emergency treatment at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.
Huggins, a Standard Five pupil of the Eastern Boys’ Government Primary School on George Street, Port-of-Spain, was shot in the head at Mapp Trace, Laventille Road, around 5 pm, at a spot where the neighbourhood children and elders would usually gather.
The young victim was said to have been standing on the road when gunmen in a silver Toyota NZE and a white Wingroad Wagon opened fire on the red Kia Cerato that their 39-year-old intended target and his 15-year-old daughter were travelling in.
It was reported that as gunmen began shooting at the car, which was driven by the intended target’s brother, Huggins was hit by a stray bullet.
It is believed that Huggins rode his bicycle to the neighbourhood shop, which was a usual activity on an evening after school.
Still clad in a hospital gown after identifying Huggins’ body at hospital, Theo Samuel, who was driving the targeted vehicle, recounted the harrowing experience as he spoke of the chaos and pain the community was now dealing with.
Samuel denied his brother was involved in anything untoward, as he said, “My brother is a hard-working contractor…just at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Huggins’ uncle Andre Huggins described Ezekiel as, “A very intelligent youthman who loved to ride bike. He loved football and being outside.”
Shocked after learning Ezekiel had passed, he said, “His parents are in pain and crying.”
