‘Praise God she’s alive’

“PRAISE God my daughter is alive.” These were the words from an elated Leanora Callender, mother of 18-month-old Shanice, who was shot in her left hand at her  grandmother- s home in Beverly Hills, Picton Road, Laventille  on Monday evening.

Mrs Callender was speaking to Newsday yesterday at the Surgical Ward of the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) in Mt Hope. Reliving the ordeal which left three of her relatives shot — one critically — baby Shanice’s grandmother Eutrice told Newsday five men stormed her home on Monday and opened fire. Family members shot included baby Shanice (shot on left hand), Arlene Callender (shot on her left feet) and Arlene’s common-law husband Garvin “Pussy” Jones, who was shot in the chest and is warded in critical condition.

Baby Shanice’s relieved mother said once doctors at Mt Hope give the “all clear” to have the child discharged, she (Leanora) wants to take back her daughter to Tobago. Leanora said 15 minutes after speaking to Eutrice via telephone, another relative called to say that baby Shanice had been shot. “I just started crying...when my two other children heard what had happened to their sister, they also started crying. I went quickly to Crown Point Airport to book a flight to Trinidad,” Callender said. At the Airport, a kind-hearted clerk allowed the crying woman to board a 7 pm flight although Mrs Callender  had been booked to board the 8.15 pm flight. “I can’t remember the guys name, but he knows who he is and I would like to say thanks to him for his help,” Mrs Callender said.