Anna-Lisa Paul
Less than 24 hours after Kiel Paul was killed while playing football in Valencia on Saturday—his mother admitted the family was no stranger to gun violence.
Sarah Subah told reporters she was shot in the right leg in 2021 by armed men during an incident. In addition, her house was shot at by armed men in 2022. She said she was finally forced to close down her shop following a violent robbery in February.
The mother of three cried for her first born yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, describing the loss as a blow she will never recover from.
She said, “To lose a child is not an easy thing, especially a child who was not disobedient or disrespectful, so it hard to cope with that feeling right now.”
Paul, a Form Three Coryal Secondary School student, had dreams of becoming a solider.
“He was always contented with what little he had,” Subah added.
Subah, who was in bed when the gunfire rang out, recalled jumping out of a deep sleep and questioning where her son was.
From her home, Subah could see her son’s body on the football field and she ran to him hoping he was alive. Instead, she was only able to cradle his lifeless body.
Vexed by the out-of-control crime, she questioned what could be done to reduce killings.
Meanwhile, Kiel’s schoolmates were in shock yesterday. The principal, teachers and students held a prayer session for him.
Some of his close friends had to be consoled by teachers and a guidance officer spoke to the school population. He was a member of the school’s football team and desired to play for T&T.
Another victim of the shooting, Brian Bernette, 26, remained in critical condition at hospital late yesterday.
Police are investigating.
—With reporting by Ralph Banwarie