Toco student chopped to death; man held at station

An argument over a football match turned deadly for a 19-year-old student on Tuesday after he was chopped during an altercation with a man he knew. Peter Richards, a Form Six student of the Toco Composite School died less than half-an-hour after he was attacked. Richards, of Cemetery Street, died at the Toco Emergency Health Facility around 8.30 pm. His killer was arrested at the Toco Police Station while making a report about the incident. Up to last night, the 23-year-old suspect remained in police custody.

Senior officers yesterday said a file was being prepared to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard. Around 8 pm on Tuesday, Richards was playing football with several friends in the area when an argument broke out. Richards and his attacker had to be separated as the confrontation turned physical. The T&T Guardian learned Richards’ attacker left the scene but was followed by Richards and another man.

It is alleged that Richards and the second man began taunting the suspect and also threw stones at him. It was also reported that during this second confrontation, Richards’ attacker pulled out a cutlass and chopped him once on the neck, then ran away. Even as he was being taken to hospital, the suspect went to the police station and handed over the cutlass to police. He was later arrested after news of Richards’ death.

The school’s former football coach, Joseph Brewster, said Richards earlier in the day accompanied the school team to a friendly inter-school competition in El Dorado and appeared to be in good spirits. Richards’ killing brought the murder toll to 307 for the year. Police who visited the scene included Insp Paul, Sgt Gopaul and PC Ramjohn. Cpl Kipsingh is investigating.