The mother of a 30-year-old North Manzanilla man shot and killed by police has rejected the official account of his death, claiming he was targeted at his home and was already dead before being taken to hospital.
Lucel Baptiste, mother of Justin Baptiste, said her son had been given a parcel of land by a family friend, where he built a small shack to live and cultivate crops. She alleged that a man from the area, who reportedly resented Justin’s presence on the land, had been threatening him. Baptiste further claimed the man has relatives in the police service and that some residents of North Manzanilla were hostile toward her son.
Police have reported that Justin was seen along a roadway at about 4.30 am holding a firearm and fled when officers approached. According to their account, officers pursued him and, fearing for their lives, opened fire. He was later pronounced dead at the Sangre Grande Hospital.
However, Lucel Baptiste disputes that version of events.
“He was shot at his garden ranch around 3 am. He was already dead — he was shot five times in his chest. They took him to the hospital and left him as John Doe.”
She said she learned of the incident via social media and had to contact the police herself for confirmation.
The grieving mother called on Commissioner of Police Allister Guevara to investigate officers attached to the Manzanilla Police Station.
“I need answers from the commissioner. My son was murdered, and I need to send him off properly,” she said.
She said she last spoke with her son on Saturday.
“He told me he was tired, that he had been getting threats. He was very quiet, not a bad boy,” she said.
She also visited the Forensic Science Centre but was told her son’s body had not yet arrived.
Expressing frustration over the delay, she said, “I am getting the runaround. I just want to bury my son and let his soul rest in peace.”
