An attempted home invasion at a farmer’s residence turned deadly in Tabaquite on Sunday night when farm worker Winston Lokhan was shot dead after alerting his employer to the danger.
Police said after killing Lokhan, the gunman attempted to shoot farmer Reynold Mohammed, 58. However, Mohammed put up a fight with the attacker resulting in him being stabbed in the ankle. The suspect then ran off.
The incident occurred at Watts Trace, Brothers Road, Tabaquite, just months after farmers protested against rising robberies and thefts in the community.
Lokhan, 60, also known as Manoo, suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
Requesting anonymity, someone who witnessed the incident said around 10.20 pm, she heard continuous banging on the door.
“It seemed urgent, and I came running, saying, ‘I’m coming.’ Then I heard Manoo’s voice,” the witness said.
The gunman, described as slim-built and approximately six feet tall, was standing over Lokhan, who was kneeling. He fired one shot, hitting Lokhan in the head.
“I ran, and the man followed me. Then there was a fight. I was so scared to come out,” the witness added.
Police said the assailant entered the house and confronted Mohammed, who had been alerted by the gunfire. The attacker attempted to shoot Mohammed, but the gun jammed.
Mohammed wrestled with the attacker, who stabbed him in the right ankle. Despite his injury, Mohammed disarmed the attacker, who then fled into nearby bushes.
Police secured the scene, and Lokhan’s body was examined by the District Medical Officer before being transported to the San Fernando General Hospital mortuary for a postmortem. Investigators recovered three live 9mm rounds, one spent 9mm shell, and a deformed projectile at the scene.
Police believe robbery was the motive for the attack.
