(Trinidad Express) The father of Jayden Reyes, 21, who was gunned down on Sunday night at the Port of Spain General Hospital (PoSGH), has appealed to young men to not choose a life of crime but to aspire to greatness as his son did.
Ancil Reyes, a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF), is mourning the loss of his son while his elder son, Jassani, 26, is recovering from gunshot wounds at the PoSGH.
Four people were shot dead and several injured in this incident, which started in Belmont.
Reyes told the Express in an interview yesterday that he provided all that he could as a father to his sons and ensured they had a good upbringing, adding that they embraced the opportunities to grow through sports and academics.
“I can only say to them (youth), please do your best and do not follow in anybody’s footsteps who are not doing the right thing,” he said.
Jayden was a third-year medical student whose dream was to become a paediatric surgeon.
He was also a graduate of St Mary’s College and worked at the Republic Bank Call Centre.
Jassani is a member of the TTDF.
Reyes said Jayden was “born and bred” in Gonzales, Belmont, and he loved his community and would actively be involved in playing football and engaging in tournaments.
He said Jayden was not judgmental and he would not shun anyone if they had a negative stigma.
“He was always amongst the people, he was not a community leader or a gang member; he was someone who truly loved his community and was always community oriented,” he said.
Reyes said Jayden grew up in Gonzales, a testament to the fact that not everyone who resides there is a criminal.
“Everybody in the community are not gang members and drug leaders. People live in a community so we interact with each other,” he said.
He said he shared a close relationship with his son, and he fondly remembers his jokes and his business acumen.
“I tried to give them the best that I could give them. I can’t give them more than I could. The basic thing is sports, sports is free, education is free; education is a free thing, all you need to do is work hard,” he said.
Recalling the nightmare
Recalling what happened on that tragic night when both his sons were shot, Reyes said that on Sunday, both sons were in Gonzales where Jayden played football, when gunmen opened fire on a group of people.
Reyes said when he received the call of the shootings, he was nearby in the next street and he told Jassani to take his brother to the hospital.
He said the gunmen pursued the injured to the hospital where they continued spraying bullets to “finish off” their targets.
“By the time I reach the hospital, he (Jayden) was dead because they shoot them again in the hospital,” he said.
Reyes said he had to break the news to Jassani that his brother was killed and this has left him torn.
He said his elder son feels responsible that he was unable to help his brother.
“We are not coping, we are not doing too good at all,” he added.
The father expressed his disappointment with the North-West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) and its insufficient security system, which he felt could have prevented his son’s death.
He said there was a “big gap” in security and now there are stringent security checks in place, which should have been in existence in the first place.
“I am really upset with NWRHA people because up to this point, nobody from the hospital called my phone to ask me how my son doing. I find it very disrespectful and distasteful,” he said.
He said the doctors are doing an excellent job, but he was upset over the lack of compassion by administration.
Reyes said he did speak with NWRHA chief executive officer (CEO) Anthony Blake, but lamented the lack of communication.
As for justice, Reyes said he knows the police are doing the best they can to find the killers and he places his faith in them.
However, he said he also knows that people will not willingly come forward with information because the way information is collected is “too open”.
Both Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds have urged citizens to come forward and share information with the police with respect to criminals.
Hinds has announced a $100,000 reward for anyone who provides valuable information on the Belmont killings.
“I don’t think anybody going to bring any information about any killers; they can only ask, but I know you not going and take your good self and say Mr John or Mr Jones was the killer. It have nobody to protect you when you say that, you know,” he said.
Reyes said Jayden’s funeral will take place on Monday at the St Paul’s Church, Gonzales, at 10 a.m.
Bright light snuffed out
There has been an outpouring of love for Jayden on social media, with many sharing their memories of him.
On the St Mary’s College Facebook page, a report was shared of his death, with the title “RIP alumnus Jayden Reyes”.
Several people expressed their condolences and paid tribute to Jayden.
“Took a while to digest this one. Really heartbreaking as his former dean, he was always so respectful, jovial and personable. Difficult environment, but you would never have known. He carried himself with dignity and I always admired that.
“A bright light snuffed out before he got to fully shine! Really, how many more? How many? Sorry Jayden. I really am. Nobody deserves this. Condolences to mom, family and the hurting CIC community. Rest in Peace young Saint,” wrote Rudy Balwant.
“This is so sorrowful and alarming, to say the least. At 21 and wow, a third year medical student, I can’t begin to fathom how his family is grappling with this. Fly high with the angels and may they lead you into paradise!” said another.
“This is so crazy! I remembered him as being part of the same football team as my son at CIC. Very quiet and composed guy! Wow. Sorry for his family. May his soul RIP,” one person posted.
Another said, “Even the parish priest of St Martin in Gonzales, who was on his way to anoint a gravely ill man had to duck on all fours, as he waited for the family to open their gate to let him in. He was just a two-three minutes walk away from where the shootout took place!”
