Relative of man fatally shot by cops in PoS
A relative of one of the young men killed during a police-involved killing in Port-of-Spain two weeks ago, has urged the survivors and those left behind to leave the matter in the hands of the Lord.
The appeal was made by Ricardo Reyes, who cautioned: “Vengeance is not our way.”
He added, “We will get revenge because this murder, this assassination that took place here…it was unjust.”
Reyes is the cousin of Fabien Richards, 22, of St Barb’s, Laventille who was among the three victims who lost their lives on July 2.
The three victims were among six occupants of a car which ploughed into Republic Bank at the corner of Chacon Street and Independence Square, Port-of-Spain. They were killed during an alleged shoot-out with police.
However, the relatives of the three, including Leornardo Williams, 21, of Beetham Gardens; Isaiah Williams, 17, of St Barb’s and Richards, have accused the police of executing the men.
Delivering a short but poignant tribute to Richards during his funeral on Monday in St James, Reyes called on the people of Laventille to hold their heads up high and not default to what society expects from them.
To those seeking employment and education opportunities, he advised them to proudly print their address.
“Don’t be ashamed to put down Laventille. It have good things coming out of Laventille…if they choose not to give you a job, it is their loss, not yours,” he told the packed hall.
Richards’ entire family, comprising mother Nicole, father Garth and sisters Nicola and Isoma, delivered the eulogy, which saw them clutching each other tightly as they stood at the pulpit.
Nicole shared the difficulties she experienced while pregnant with Fabien, but smiled through her tears as she recalled just how much of a fighter he had been.
Passing the microphone to his sister Nicola, who had raised Fabien as her own son, the congregation heard from the composed woman that he had always been a respectable young man, willing to help anyone and always on time to praise the Lord.
Garth appealed to those present to remember his son the way he was despite whatever anyone had to say.
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