Businesswoman Sabrina Thomas went to her mother-in-law’s home yesterday morning to plan her (mother-in-law’s) birthday celebrations today.
In a cruel twist of fate, however, Thomas’ relatives will now be planning her (Thomas) funeral, after she was shot dead by a lone assailant at her mother-in-law’s Fanny Village, Point Fortin home.
Thomas, 44, a contractor, had dropped off her children, aged 13 and 14, at their schools in Point Fortin and Vessigny before going to her business place, which she owned with her husband Edwin Thomas.
Thomas then walked across to her mother-in-law’s house, a stone’s throw away.
Initial reports stated that around 8 am, Thomas was standing by the garage when a man dressed in a camouflage outfit walked up to her and shot her in the chest and back of the head. It was witnessed by her 72-year-old mother-in-law.
A resident, who did not want to be named, said he had just returned home from work and was “now falling asleep” when he heard three gunshots and a woman (Thomas’ mother-in-law) screaming.
When he walked across to the house, he saw a neighbour trying to console the elderly woman.
“Nobody wanted to touch the body. They said the person jump over the fence and just shoot. She (Thomas) was in a sitting posture, lean up against a plant. It real sad.”
He said Thomas was still gasping for breath but by the time the police arrived, she had already died. Describing her as a nice person, he said they grew up in the same neighbourhood.
“We grow up and married in the back here. I always know she as a good person. It real shocking. I cannot come to terms with actually seeing somebody you know for so many years and that happen right there. Crime getting too high in the country,” he lamented.
Thomas’ mother-in-law was too distraught to speak to the media.
The victim’s husband, Edwin, also a contractor, said her murder was a shock to everyone.
In a brief interview, he said he was at home when a worker called.
“He said come quickly something happen with my wife. I ask him what and he say she get shot.”
He said Thomas had gone to his mother’s home to discuss plans for her (mother) birthday.
“Normally, she (Thomas) bring the children to school. We interchange. She will do it. I will do it. Tomorrow is my mother birthday, so she come to check with her to make a little plan.”
Edwin said he did not know whether his wife’s life was under threat. The couple also has a 25-year-old child together.
Thomas’s brother Lincoln Mohammed said he received a call that his sister got shot.
“I heard she came for a part in the yard (business place) and she went to check her mother-in-law and somebody jump over a fence or something and that’s when it happen,” he said.
Mohammed said he was not sure why his sister was killed.
“You does see this on TV but when it come home here you can’ explain that feeling,” he said.
The suspect was still at large last evening. Police are also still trying to ascertain a motive.
Officers of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region 3 are investigating.
