The mother of a six-year-old boy who was shot dead during New Year’s Day celebrations in Beetham Gardens, Port-of-Spain, yesterday lashed out social media critics after photos with her son wearing gold jewelery began circulating.
His mother, Kedesha Ramnath, spoke to the media yesterday outside the Forensic Science Centre, St James, where an autopsy was done on the body of her son Jodal Ramnath.
Jodal, a First Year pupil at the Eastern Boys Primary School, Port-of Spain, was shot dead after unknown gunmen used the cover of New Year’s fireworks to shoot indiscriminately in Beetham Gardens.
The incident occurred shortly after 12.10 am. Jodal and 68-year-old Alvina Warner, were shot in what police described as “happy gunfire” during the celebrations.
Kedesha said there were too many negative comments surrounding her son and urged the public to stop judging him.
“First of all, there are many other pictures with my son dressed in normal clothes and church clothes but yet still the photos with him dressed up all in gold had to go out to the public and members of the public just had to speak out on it.
“My child just like to look nice and he loved to wear all of our jewelery and would often ask us to take photos of him with it on so I do not know what the big deal is,” she added.
She said all the pieces of jewelery seen in the photos were purchased and that every member of the family still had their respective receipts.
“I work hard to see about my child and he should not be judged in any way negative. People do not know my child. He just loved to look nice,” she said.
Jodal’s grandmother, who wished not to give her name, told the T&T Guardian people should respect the family’s time of mourning because it was the loss of an innocent child with which they had to deal.
“It is hard for everyone and while we are trying not to take on what people are saying we just want people to stop talking and if they want to talk, talk about the issues of life,” she added.
The woman said a team of social workers visited Jodal’s school yesterday to begin counseling sessions with the principal, teachers and pupils.
“They keep calling me on the phone. They are very distraught about the situation and although Jodal was just about to start his second term in his First Year at the school he was well known by all, even the principal.
“He was a very lovable child and looked out for his school friends and teachers. He was the kindest little boy anyone could have ever met,” the grandmother said.
Investigations are still ongoing into the incident.