Cocorite shooting victim Steven Andrew Gonzalves Jr died on Thursday night before doctors could have carried out the second test to determine whether or not to keep him on a ventilator machine.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian a short while ago, a female relative, who did not disclose her name, confirmed Gonzalves died “naturally.”
The family is said to be very distraught and will now await the results of an autopsy on Monday.
Gonzalves Jr’s father, Steven Gonzalves Sr, yesterday told the T&T Guardian that his son’s condition never improved as his brain was not responding to any medication.
Gonzalves, 27 and his driving instructor Naresh Harrilal, 50, of Cunupia, were in Harrilal’s Nissan Almera driving along the westbound lane of Western Main Road on Wednesday when they were shot near the Cocorite walkover.
Police believe the men were hit by stray bullets as there was a report of a shooting at Lady Hochoy Circular Road, near the entrance to the Community Hospital of Seventh-day Adventists, around the same time.
Police believe the stray bullets from the shootout may have crossed the eastbound lane of the Western Main Road before striking Gonzales, who was in the driver’s seat. They believe one of the bullets may have then ricocheted off Gonzalves and hit Harrilal in the eye.
Investigations are continuing.