‘Gunshots made me freeze’

A MEMBER of staff at the International School at Westmoorings admitted yesterday that she froze on hearing gunshots around her on the day 18-year-old Phillip Seerattan was shot dead at the school.

“It was something very traumatic. I was very scared,” said Nisha Ann Kassiram. The unfolding events at the school on November 20, 2002, sent her packing under a desk where she stayed for 20 minutes. In fact, two other women hid under the same desk. They were praying while Kassiram was just thinking. Kassiram, of Vistabella, San Fernando, was a receptionist at the International School on the day of the shooting. She is now employed as the assistant librarian. Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls, sitting as Coroner, is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Phillip Seerattan. Patricia Roberts is looking after the interest of the Seerattan family, while Martin George represents the two police officers involved in the shooting — PC Gary Moore and WPC Suad Weekes. Lydia Mendonca appears for the International School, while Inspector Lynette Fergusson is the court prosecutor. Hearing resumes this morning.

On November 20, 2002, Kassiram said she reported for work. Around 2.50 pm, she was sitting on a couch in the lobby of the reception area. She was selecting T-Shirts for the upcoming Carnival activities. “I heard a loud explosion which I thought was a fire cracker. I looked outside and I saw a tall East Indian young man with curly hair approaching the guard booth. I never saw him before that day. He had a back-pack on his back. I saw this guy approaching the security guard William Ramnarine.” Kassiram continued, “I saw William Ramnarine arguing with this man. Ramnarine was shaking his head and gesticulating. The man seemed agitated and was pointing something at Ramnarine. They were an arm’s length away from each other. I heard another loud explosion and I saw some kids running. I remember that Ramnarine tried to run but he fell flat on his face.” Kassiram said the guy (Phillip Seerattan) was standing over Ramnarine with a black gun holding it downwards. When asked to describe the gun, the witness said it was like something she saw on television.

Kassiram said her Business Manager Mr Pitman and the Head of Security Anthony Ralph ran past her. “Mr Pitman grabbed me by my arm and spoke to me. I was frozen. It was something very traumatic. I wasn’t able to see what was happening outside. I was very scared. I ran into an office and hid under a desk where I stayed for 20 minutes.” She said two other female women also hid under the same desk. She heard a lot of running outside the room. Someone, she added, tried to open the door leading to the corridor, but it was locked. “I heard yelling and running. I then heard loud explosions coming from the school. It could have been about six shots. These shots were very loud and they were coming from above me. They were fired very fast. Then, there was silence. The two women with me were praying, I was just thinking.” Kassiram said there was an announcement over the PA system. They came out from under the desk. Kassiram said she returned to her desk. “My desk was very messy. It was not the way I left it. There was paper everywhere. There was alcohol all over my desk, as well as matches. I started to quarrel about my desk.” Kassiram remembered seeing several policemen in the lobby, including PC Gary Moore. According to the witness, the policemen were assuring the school director Barney Latham that the school was safe once again. The children were taken to the school gymnasium. Kassiram did not see Seerattan again. After everything subsided, she called her mother and eventually left the school after 5 pm.