Valdeen Shears-Neptune
Mystery surrounds an incident where a 15-year-old cadet was shot in the neck during a hike in the forest of Brasso Seco, near Blanchisseuse.Now with the bullet lodged mere centimetres away from his spine, Tyri Sanchez, of Vance River, Point Fortin, risks paralysis if surgery is done to remove the object.
The incident, which took place on October 30, has left Sanchez's guardian, Althia Shears, fearful of leaving him alone at home.
"He has seen three doctors, one at the Arima hospital when it first happened and two others privately and they all say the same thing. If they try to remove it, because of where its lodged, it could sever an artery and he could bleed to death or it could damage his spine and leave him paralysed. I just don't know what to do or who to talk to again," said a distraught Shears, during an online an interview.
Shears, a single parent, said she was initially told Sanchez got a "scratch" on the neck from a bullet.
Sanchez, a Form Four at the Point Fortin West Secondary School, said he was on the hike with at least six members in his batch and three batches total when they heard "shots" ringing off and dropped to the ground.He said as he got up he couldn't feel his right ear and asked if it had been shot off.He said he felt blood spurting from the wound.
Sanchez said he was lifted by the senior officers and carried down the trail before being taken to the Arima hospital.Shears said Sanchez complains of tingling in his fingers and toes.
"His neck is stiff and the area looks blue black. I am really terrified of what this could mean for him, both now and in future. Is he just supposed to live with this bullet in his neck?" she asked.
Shears said she was also told by doctors that Sanchez's body could develop an infection, which should push the bullet to his skin and then it could be removed. He was prescribed pain relief medication and antibiotics.
Shears said she had been told that the matter was under investigation by a joint team including, the Cadet Force, Ministry of Education and the Ministry of National Security.
Chief Education Officer Harrilal Seecharan confirmed receiving a report but said he could provide no details, as investigations are continuing.