Relatives of the coconut vendors – a man and his son – who were ambushed and gunned down in Cunupia on April 22 said the victims shielded the 17-year-old lone survivor as gunmen unleashed a hail of bullets.

A close relative told Newsday that Ricardo Joseph was shot "eight to eleven times," including in both legs.

"He has to undergo surgery on both legs. Doctors said they have to put steel in his legs. He is doing well. The gunmen opened the doors and started shooting," the relative said.