Grande father killed in row over sneakers

Late yesterday, acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Carla Browne Antoine, gave instructions to the police to lay a charge of murder against a 23-year-old man in the incident.

The murder accused will appear before a Sangre Grande magistrate today.

The murder sent shock waves through the Damarie Hill, Sangre Grande area where the well-known plumber lived.

Reports revealed that the murder accused was putting on a pair of sneakers belonging to his younger brother at 2 pm on Sunday, when Thomas told him he should not wear the sneakers because they did not belong to him. A heated argument erupted and the accused left the house. He returned a short while later with a loaded 9 mm shotgun, with which he fired one fatal shot, killing Thomas. The suspect then fled the scene.

A party of officers led by ASP Gonzales and including Sgts Johnny Abraham, Ramdeen, and PCs, Ken Lutchman, and Neil Narine visited the scene

The bleeding Thomas was rushed to the Sangre Grande Hospital where he was attended to and then transferred to Port-of-Spain General Hospital, where he died at about 7 pm, while undergoing emergency operation. This brings the total number of murders to 319, of which 67 have been solved.

Thomas was a well known plumber in Sangre Grande, and was described by visitors to his home as honest, and friendly.

Thomas’ youngest son Bertwin said his father believed in honesty and fairplay.

Sgt Stanley Ramdeen of the Homicide Bureau is investigating.