Senior Reporter
ann-lisa.paul@guardian.co.tt
Slain teenager Marlon Paul was excited as he was expecting a child with his girlfriend, but he will never know the joy of holding the baby, nor will his child know a father’s love.
The 17-year-old of Benny Road, Valencia, who was also known as “Worm”, died around 3.30 pm on Wednesday, after gunmen opened fire on him as he purchased coconuts.
The brazen shooting occurred at the corner of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway and Tumpuna Road South, by men reportedly dressed in tactical wear.
Paul, along with a 35-year-old man from John Street, Zone Eight, Maturita, Arima, were said to have stopped at the coconut vendor’s stall at the busy intersection when the killers pulled up and began firing at them.
Paul was reportedly shot multiple times and died at the scene, while the second victim sustained several injuries.
He was taken to hospital by officers where he was treated and warded in a critical condition.
Evidence collected at the scene included five 40 calibre spent shells and 17 9 mm spent shells.
Speaking with reporters at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, yesterday, a female relative described the murdered teenager as a “kind child who would do whatever you ask him to do.”
She said the unemployed man was never disrespectful.
Revealing he had been living with his uncle, the relative said the expectant mother was trying to hold up, but “not doing so well.”
Indicating Paul’s family was trying to be strong, the grieving relative urged the youth to take a look at what is happening on the crime front and ‘to take it down and turn to Christ.”
She said, “The crime situation is getting out of hand where the youth are concerned. I would like to see them put down the guns and pick up the bible because it only hurts when it hits home.”
The family said they were not aware if Paul had received any threats before being killed, but claimed that “God knows best.”
