Nicole Phillip, the sister of a murdered Valencia man, is pleading with young people to put down their guns and turn away from illegal and destructive behaviours that endanger lives and leave families grieving.

Speaking with Newsday around 10 am in Arima on July 6, Phillip recounted the tragic incident involving her brother, Kelvin “Balo” Paul, 39, who was shot and killed while liming at a shop in his community. He was liming with his 19-year-old nephew, Jeremiah Paul, and another man, 18-year-old Kevin Abraham.

According to an eyewitness, around 12.15 am, he was at home when he heard several gunshots. On investigating, he saw three men lying on the ground, covered in blood. The victims were taken to the Sangre Grande Hospital by relatives.