Autopsy performed on slain teen

Speaking to pathologist Valeri Alexandrov yesterday, Newsday was told that the teenaged boy was shot with bullets which travelled at a high velocity, and may have fragmented upon entry of the young man’s body.

The fragments then exited the body through what is called “satellite wounds”. But one of the wounds counted by Alexandrov was determined to be a defensive wound.

According to the pathologist, one of the bullets passed through Ramsahai’s forearm, then hit him in the upper body. Newsday was also told that when he was shot, he was facing his killers. Ramshai was killed on Friday by police.

According to reports, officers who were on an anti-crime exercise responded to a report that a man was seen with a gun at Pasea Extension, Tunapuna. Officers responded, and allegedly saw Ramsahai, 15, running to a wall in a bid to escape.

Officers gave chase, but during the pursuit, it is alleged that the teenager fired gunshots in the direction of the police. Officers returned fire, and shot Ramsahai several times about the body before he fell to the floor dead. Police investigators later found a 9mm pistol at the scene of the shooting.

Newsday understands Ramsahai was recently released from the St Michael’s Home for Boys. Investigators told Newsday in an earlier report that the teenager had a rap sheet of 13 offences, which included rape, robbery and firearm offences. While police claim there was a shootout between police and the teen, relatives insist he was trying to surrender when he was shot dead.

While the evidence provided by the autopsy sheds new light on the incident, head of the the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), David West, yesterday said that more evidence is needed to further pursue an investigation into the matter.

The PCA yesterday sent a release indicating that it has not yet received any complaint from family members of the slain teen, but have advised that persons with relevant information can contact the authority at Tower D of the International Waterfront Centre, Wrightson Road. “Regarding the police shooting of Josiah Ramsahai, the PCA has initiated an investigation and we ask that Ms Ramsahai come into the PCA office to provide information relevant to the investigation.” the PCA release read.

Persons interested in providing information to the PCA can call their offices at 800-2722 or 627- 4383.