Senior Reporter
jensen.lavende@guardian.co.tt
Relatives of three men shot and killed by police three years ago held a candlelight vigil at the scene of the incident last Wednesday, calling for Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to intervene.
A handful of supporters gathered at Republic Bank, Independence Square, to remember 17-year-olds Isaiah Roberts and Leonardo Williams and 21-year-old Fabian Richards. The trio lived in Beetham Gardens.
The three were among six in a car on July 2, 2022, which police said was allegedly stolen. At the end of a chase from Diego Martin to Independence Square, police claimed they were shot at and were forced to return fire, killing the three and injuring a 15-year-old who was shot in the arm and grazed on the abdomen and leg.
Autopsy reports showed Richards died from multiple gunshot wounds to the back of the head, neck and upper limbs. Williams died from multiple gunshot wounds to the back, right buttocks and forearm. Roberts died of multiple gunshots to the back of the head and right lower back.
Police claimed a Smith and Wesson pistol was found in the car.
Speaking at the vigil, Williams’ father, Leo, called on the Prime Minister to intervene as the case had been ongoing for too long.
“I respect the TTPS. I is a law-abiding citizen, but it is about time for we to dig out and root out the rogue elements in the TTPS. It is not fair when they do their crime against poor people children. I am grieving out my heart and we seeking justice.
“I am begging right now for this Government, under Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her team, to look into this case right now because they murder our children in cold blood in downtown Port-of-Spain,” Williams claimed.
In 2022, the Police Complaints Authority suggested that the matter be sent for an inquest.
Lead investigator Snr Supt Neil Brandon-John died last year, before the matter was completed. Before his death in October last year, he told Guardian Media he was awaiting one document from the Forensic Science Centre to complete his investigation.
Guardian Media was told that the document remains outstanding.