Senior Reporter
anna-lisa.paul@guardian.co.tt
The mother of a mentally ill man who was shot dead after severely wounding a neighbour at Beetham Gardens on Sunday night, remained uncertain yesterday about what had triggered the attack.
Shocked and still unable to process the loss of her only son, Keston Thomas, at Phase 5, Beetham Gardens, Marva David cried, “I am just trying to cope.”
She said Thomas, 33, a stepfather of three, had been diagnosed with mental health issues three years ago.
Thomas, who was an out-patient of the St Ann’s Hospital, reportedly attacked a 51-year-old man with a knife, stabbing him multiple times before running off.
Both Thomas and the victim lived at Phase 5, Beetham Gardens.
Police officers were informed of an altercation at Phase 5 and arrived to find a female resident had taken the victim to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, where he was treated and warded in critical condition.
A short while later, David contacted the Besson Street Police Station and reported hearing a single gunshot. Upon checking approximately 100 metres east of her house, she saw Thomas’ body on the road.
Investigators yesterday said Thomas was killed elsewhere and the body dumped near his mother’s house. The body bore multiple bruises, while his right leg was almost severed at the knee. Officers recovered a single round of 5.56 ammunition south of where Thomas’ body was found.
Confirming Thomas stabbed her husband three years ago, around the same time he was diagnosed and committed to the St Ann’s Hospital, David said, “That was the first time I see him trip off.”
She said Thomas had spent close to two months at the St Ann’s Hospital last September before being discharged.
Admitting she was familiar with the victim Thomas stabbed, David said, “I think I did everything humanly possible in growing up Keston as a child. Everything church-wise ... Keston was baptised.”
