Story by RADHICA DE SILVA (radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt)
Three members of a Barrackpore family currently are warded at the hospital after being attacked by a relative on Friday night.
Police said around 8:30 pm, 35-year-old Savitri Lalman, of Cunjal Road Barrackpore North, was sleeping at home when the 26-year-old suspect came into the bedroom and began chopping her on the right hand, stomach and head.
Her father, 68-year-old Lalman Jaggernauth, heard her screams and rushed to her aid. However, the suspect started to chop Jaggernauth too, wounding him on the right hand and left shoulder. As the elderly man fell to the ground, Lalman's daughter Reena Straughn intervened, and the suspect also began raining chops on her. She suffered injuries to the left side of her head and left hand
Lalman's 15-year-old son, Kevon, realized that the suspect intended to maim everyone. Reports are he grabbed his one-year-old sister Vishala James and ran out of the house. He alerted the neighbours who called the police.
The suspect then fled through a bushy area to the back of the house.
Led by Senior Supt Wayne Mohammed, officers of the Barrackpore and Princes Town police quickly responded. They later found the suspect lying on the ground in a bushy area off St Croix Extension in Barrackpore. He appeared to have ingested a poisonous substance, but was still alive.
Police did not find the weapon used in the attack.
The suspect was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where he remains warded in a critical condition.
Lalman, her father and daughter were rushed to the Princes Town Health Facility where they were stabilized. They, too, were then transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital.
Cpl Mohammed of the Barrackpore police station is continuing investigations.