Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
The younger brother of murder victim Ernest Sylvester Thompson is urging the public not to resist bandits when approached during a robbery as doing so could possibly end in death.
Thompson, 58, was gunned down outside his home at Garcia Circular Zone, Mt Zion Road, Arima, early on Tuesday morning.
Officers of the Pinto Road Police Post visited the scene and took Thompson to the Arima General Hospital where he was declared dead at around 1.40 am.
He was shot in his neck, head and right ear.
Investigators suspect Thompson was killed during a robbery as his gold Nissan Almera was missing from the home.
Speaking with Guardian Media at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, on Tuesday, his brother, Ashkelon Richards, said he was told by people in the area that Thompson had just got out of his car when he was confronted by two bandits who shot him.
He said it was unfortunate that his brother lost his life over a vehicle and hoped his attackers would have spared his life.
“It (crime) is ridiculous.
“When the witnesses explained what happened, it really sounded senseless.
“He came home, he got out of the car, two men walked up, shot him and took his car and went.
“It’s sad, it was better they hit him or something and take his car.”
Richards added, “I would say people should just give up their possessions if they are in a robbery, but based on what I’m hearing, he didn’t even put up a fight.”
Richards said his brother had no problems with anyone in the area and did not know him to be in trouble.
Thompson worked with the Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme.
Police from the Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region II are continuing investigations.