By Isanella Patoir
Nineteen-year-old Joshua Denny was shot and killed during a robbery moments after he left his Festival City, Georgetown house for work on Thursday morning.
The electrician was reportedly robbed of his gold chain by two men on a motorcycle just two houses from where he lived sometime between 06:15hrs and 06:30hrs. He was shot once to the chest and the bullet exited through his back. Police said Joshua died while undergoing emergency surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Joshua was expecting his first child and celebrated his 19th birthday last week. Relatives and friends have since taken to social media to mourn his death.
When the News Room visited his house on Thursday, his mother Afaria Denny was inconsolable and could not speak; Joshua was her only son and the third of four children.
One of his sisters, Felicia explained that they were both preparing for work and was supposed to leave together, but Joshua was running late and so, she told him to go ahead.
Felicia revealed that a co-worker who usually picks up her brother up was waiting for him at the entrance of South Ruimveldt.
“I said go along, you cannot late for work and he gone running and I called a car and by time I go out, a Rasta man come running and say my brother get shoot.”
Felicia recounted that a few moments after Joshua left, the family heard a gunshot but never imagined that it was him who was shot.
“I saw my brother on the ground, I took him to the hospital in a bus and all he said is they robbed him and shoot him and he can’t make it,” a tearful Felicia recalled while displaying the bloodied clothing they wore.
Another sister, Trissana explained that her brother went into cardiac arrest twice at the hospital; the first time doctors were able to resuscitate him but the second time they could not bring him back.
“They killed my brother for a chain, he got robbed two houses from where he lived and all they took is his chain.
“He was a good person but a disgusting person, I got two sons and every minute I does gotta say – Joshua stop get them children screaming,” Trissana said.
Relatives said Joshua worked as an electrician for about a year after completing his secondary education. He has been playing football for as long as they can remember and also breeds pit-bull dogs.
The News Room understands that Joshua played football for Fruta Conquerors Football.
The family is hopeful that justice will be served.
