RALPH BANWARIE
The man who shot and killed Lloyd Ramkissoon and his son, Ryan Ramkissoon, in Salybia on Friday, was on the run up to late yesterday. Relatives of the Ramkissoons said they are scared for their lives since the man is known for his anger and they believe that he is armed and dangerous.
The gunman went into hiding after he shot the 47-year-old father and his 19-year-old son, who both succumbed to their injuries at the Sangre Grande Hospital on Friday morning following a dispute over a dog.
There is suspicion in the community and among the police that the man may have escaped to Venezuela via a pirogue along the north coast, since two truckloads of soldiers joined by police officers combed the forest on Friday and did not find him
When T&T Guardian visited the Ramkissoons at their Langusta Trace home yesterday, they complimented the police for making visits throughout the night until 5 am yesterday, providing the family with a measure of security and protection.
However, they said that neither the soldiers nor police returned to continue the search for the killer who is well known to the police.
Tara Ramkissoon, Lloyd’s wife, was seen wiping away tears while being consoled by her brother Maniram Mahabir and other relatives.
Neighbours, friends and family visited and extended their condolences to the Ramkissoons who were erecting a tent to hold the wake for their loved ones.
A grieving Tara said the “merciless man” had taken away her love from her. She insisted the matter could have been resolved without him pulling the trigger.
“Look, today I am without a husband and son,” she said, both of whom were loving and kind.
She said her husband “Lloydie,” as she fondly calls him always, kissed her before leaving for work while her son would hug and kiss her all over her face before leaving.
“He was such a wonderful child. I don’t know how I will live without him,” she said as she broke down in tears.
She said on Friday, however, her husband did not kiss her goodbye because he was angry about the matter involving the dog, saying that the owner had to do something about the animal. The plan was to go to the police to have the matter settled once and for all. Both father and son left the house to go into their vehicle and head to Arima where they were constructing a house.
Tara recalled hearing loud explosions and saw her husband running down the hill. Looking closer, she saw her son lying on the ground.
In shock, she shouted for help. A silver Navara vehicle sped away.
The last she saw of her husband and son was when they placed both of them on the tray of a truck which took them to hospital.
The saddest moment in her life, she said, which led to her becoming hysterical, traumatized and frantic, was when she received news that both her son and husband had died in hospital.
She said her husband was never idle and his son was always at his side. “If he is not building a house, he will be on the sea fishing, or if not fishing he will be in his garden. I loved my husband as he did everything to make me happy and comfortable. There was nothing that I will ask for and Lloydie will not get it.”
Tara prays that the killer will be arrested and her family gets justice.