(Updated) Boy, 10, tries to save Mummy from chopping death

The ten-year-old son of 29-year-old Sherian Huggins, who was chopped to death by a male relative on Wednesday morning, stood in front of his mother’s attacker trying to defend her, armed with a knife. But the man pushed the boy aside and killed Huggins.

Relatives at Huggins’ home in Dan Kelly, Port of Spain, told Newsday the boy and his three siblings are in the care of relatives, and the family is working on seeking counselling for the ten-year-old boy.

“He would be very traumatised,” said her brother-in-law Isiah Worrell.

“We are trying to console him and make sure he stays on the right path, but he just witnessed his mother’s death.”

Relatives added that the boy’s father was killed by police in 2016.

At about 4 am on Wednesday, relatives heard arguing and screaming at Huggins’ house, and then saw a male relative with a cutlass. He struck Huggins several times before fleeing. Huggins died at the scene.

About two hours later, the body of a man was found by a tree in Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Police confirmed that the man was Huggins’ attacker Kevon Harris. They suspect he may have ended his own life.

Huggins’ relatives told Newsday they believe he broke into the house, after he was seen in the area hours before.

“This man like he made up his mind. He can’t get anyone else, he didn’t want to leave her because he felt it would look bad to his friends, so he rather kill her. That is what I feel. But Allah knows best.”

Huggins, relatives said, was a businesswoman. Newsday was told she catered for weddings and do decorating, but her main business, Boss Lady Designs, was a printing business where she would use her own designs on clothing and other items. She also sold face masks.

Relatives said she and Harris were in a relationship for ten years and were married under Muslim rites. But, two months ago, they separated on the advice of an imam. Newsday was told Huggins wanted a divorce and was advised to separate for a month to see if they would cool off and continue the relationship. After the two-month period she decided she wanted to go ahead with the divorce.

Huggins was described as a quiet person.

“She wouldn’t really talk with plenty people, but she was a good person. She was just a mother trying to take care of her children and keep them on the right path."

Worrell told Newsday the tragedy has rocked the community.

“This is a shock because this is the first time this happened between a Muslim sister and brother here. All the brothers right now really mad. It is not looking good on the Muslim faith. Even the smallest child in this area is Muslim – her children are Muslim.

"I can’t imagine how it would play on their minds, seeing their mother dying in front of them. We now have to look for betterment and never have this going on in our community again, because this is not making sense.”

The International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN), in a release to the media, pleaded with the public to end domestic violence and for women to speak out if they are being abused.

“Peace belongs to each and every one of you (women) and that peace is being violated by acts of domestic violence, either verbally or physically. You have a moral responsibility to raise a flag and seek help.”

The IWRN said it was updating its recommendations, forwarded to Attorney-General Faris Al-Rawi, to treat with protection orders, fines and penalties arising out of domestic violence issues.