Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
A father and son were shot and two homes were set on fire during an attack in Tarouba early yesterday morning. The Bhagawat family, including a six-year-old boy, were asleep in their home shortly before 4 am when they awoke to smoke and realised fire was raging under their home.
Ricky Bhagawat, 57, and his son Rishi, 24, ran downstairs to extinguish the blaze. However, they were confronted by a gunman who shot them. Ricky was shot twice, once in his stomach and arm while his son was shot in his leg.
Recalling the ordeal, Richard said someone had set fire to old tyres and other items under the house.
His two cousins, ages 20 and 22, safely exited the house. But he said his mother and six-year-old nephew were afraid to leave through the front door as the fire was raging nearby.
They had also heard gunshots and were scared. But he managed to help his mother and nephew escape.
Richard said he saw his father bleeding, but he did not see his brother. “I thought my brother dead because when I walk on the side I didn’t see him. I was frightened to go in the back there because I hearing shots. I see him (brother) and tell him to drag and come by the fridge and when he come I take him up and drag him.”
Bhagawat said his cousin’s house which was on the same compound, and a room where his father stored his brush cutter and other items, were also set on fire. He said had his cousin Stephen Seepersad been at home he would have perished.
He said the attack left him shocked and confused.
“If you ask anybody is Tarouba about we, we don’t really be meddling around with people. We good. Everybody know we good but we don’t know who will do this to we.”
While he was grateful for life, he called for protection for himself and his family.
“I don’t know if they will come back and kill we. We have to be frightened how we living here because we are not sure.”
Richard said his brother and father were being treated at the San Fernando General Hospital but their injuries were not life-threatening. Investigators were still working on a motive.
Anyone willing to help the family can call 309-1292.