(Trinidad Guardian) Kevin Francois’s last act as he came face to face with armed gunmen on Thursday night, was to shield his three-year-old son from the hail of bullets that cut him and his brother down.
Kevin, 44, who was also known as Bobo, and his brother, Nick Francois, 47, who was also referred to as Blacky, were gunned down at 8.15 pm in the driveway of the family’s home at Martinez Street, Arima, on Thursday.
Nick had just returned from collecting his daughter, as she was scheduled to spend the holiday weekend with his family.
As Kevin’s son kept begging to be taken for a drive, he changed into a T-shirt before scooping the boy up in his arms and walking up the driveway to the car, just as the gunmen pulled up.
Innocently mimicking the voice he heard during his father’s final moments, Kevin’s son yesterday said, “The gunman tell my daddy put up your hands and then bow bow … my daddy put me down and say run, run fast.”
Sucking on his pacifier, which was clipped to his vest as he stood cuddled in his aunt’s arms yesterday, the youngster remained unaware of just how grave the situation was.
Asking his aunt why she was crying and being told her heart was hurting, the young boy touched his chest too, to indicate he was sad.
Thursday’s execution of the Francois siblings came two days before the six-month anniversary of their elder brother, Andy Francois’s killing at his stockyard in Valencia on September 30 last year.
Still struggling to deal with the loss of Andy, relatives were dazed as they mourned the double murder, which they claimed was as a result of a family dispute over property and money.
Declining to give their names yesterday, one woman said, “When I heard the shooting, I thought it was fireworks, but this child watch out and say no, bodies on the ground.”
Raising an alarm as other family members scrambled to get to safety, a teenage relative ran out and grabbed up Kevin’s son before running back inside.
One woman said, “Otherwise, he coulda get pick up.”
All relatives yesterday dismissed claims the killings were gang-related.
“It was greed, pure and simple,” one man said, adding, “Is family kill family.”
Indicating the family did not intend to hold nightly vigils, as it was unsafe for them and the neighbourhood, they expressed fears about their continued safety at the property where they had lived all their lives.
“Some members said they believed the situation would not end now and “there will be more bodies on the ground”.
Several persons said the deceased men were family-oriented and could be counted on for anything.
A female relative recalled being released from hospital around Christmas, and being cuddled by the brothers as she recuperated at home.
At least 21 spent shell casings, including 9mm ammunition and 5.56mm ammunition, were collected at the scene.
