radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
A nine-year-old boy is currently receiving counselling from the Children's Authority after witnessing his elderly father being attacked by a man at their home. The man died shortly after the attack.
The boy’s father, Dharamraj Basdeo, 62, succumbed to his injuries at the San Fernando General Hospital around 8 am on Friday. His death is now being investigated by police as a suspected homicide.
The suspect, who lives close by, currently is in police custody.
Investigators said Basdeo was selling burgers on Thursday night when his common-law wife, Sarika Rampersad, got into an argument with the suspect.
On Friday morning, the quarrel escalated, but this time between Basdeo and the suspect. It is alleged that during the argument Basdeo was attacked. His family then rushed him to the San Fernando General Hospital where he later died.
Both the suspect and Rampersad went to the San Fernando Police Station to give statements.
When Guardian Media visited the family at their Retrench Village home, grandfather Michael Rampersad had just returned from the airport after spending a month working in Guyana.
Michael Rampersad expresses sadness at the death of his friend and son-in-law Dharamraj Basdeo. [Image by Rishi Ragoonath]
"I was at the airport when I heard he died. I feel sad. He was hardworking and a good person to me. A good person to everybody. He always trying to help people," Rampersad said.
He said three weeks ago, he spoke to Basdeo about a domestic problem, but it was later resolved.
"I alone now will have to see about my grandson. I am taking him in for counselling. He witnessed the whole thing. He was with his father when it happened. I wasn't here so I do not know what happened," he said.
Asked whether they needed any assistance, Rampersad said they will do a funeral service for Basdeo.
"The family will take care of this. He was looking forward to Christmas," Rampersad said.
He explained that Basdeo had been working in a burger shed since he retired from CEPEP. Rampersad said currently, the child seemed unaware that his father had died.
"Later this evening when he looks for his father, he may realize what happened," Rampersad said.
Officers of the Southern Division Homicide are continuing investigations.