A 59-year-old Barataria man has been detained by police in connection with the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Josiah Martinez dead during an argument on Friday evening.
According to reports, the retired employee of the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) was detained by detectives from the North Eastern Division Task Force (NEDTF)at around 9 am yesterday. He had been hiding at a relative’s home in San Juan.
The suspect, who is related to Martinez, is in custody at the Region One Homicide Bureau’s office at Riverside Plaza in Port-of-Spain where investigators were expected to interrogate him yesterday afternoon.
Martinez and the suspect were reportedly having an argument at their home at Upper Seventh Avenue, Malick, Barataria, around 5.30 pm on Friday evening when the incident occurred.
Eyewitnesses said teen reportedly attacked the suspect who drew an illegal firearm and shot him several times.
Martinez’s mother Keisha Ettiene, who was at home but in another room, rushed to her son’s assistance and confronted the suspect.
The suspect threatened Ettiene and ran away.
Martinez was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Neighbours and relatives told police Martinez and the suspect were constantly involved in arguments, which sometimes became violent.
The most recent incident was said to be last Tuesday, but the T&T Guardian could not confirm if it was reported to police before Martinez was killed on Friday.
Investigators will have to wait until they complete witness statements from the victim’s relatives before they approach the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice on how to proceed with the matter.
Investigations are continuing.