Relative of murdered teen: He wanted the bad life

A RELATIVE of Jerome Joseph, 17, who was gunned down early on the morning of July 19 in the George Street Planning area says he chose to leave his Diego Martin home and move to Nelson Street, Port of Spain because he wanted to live the 'bad life.'

Police said around 6am on July 19 while on patrol, they saw a group of people gathered.

The people directed the police to Nelson Street Planning building 44-46, where they found Joseph dead on the stairwell, in his underwear.

Police do not have a motive yet for his killing.

Speaking at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, on July 19, a female relative who did not want to be named said Joseph was a good boy and an aspiring mechanic.

"He loved to help people and fix cars and do mechanic work."

She said he moved from Diego Martin "due to certain circumstances in the area" to live on Nelson Street, Port of Spain.

"I talked to Joseph, but he choose that road so." She said crime in Trinidad and Tobago is horrible as the youths of today just want to be "dunce."

"It not stopping. It have no end."

Another female relative said until they deal with the gang leaders, only then the youths of Trinidad and Tobago will be in a better position.

"The youths and them have no sense, they don't want school.

"They feel they picking up a gun and they untouchable."

The relative said she constantly tried talking to Joseph and sent him to two different schools, but he dropped out each time.

"When they ran his cousin from Diego Martin, he moved to Nelson Street and he decided he going too.

"He didn't need to do that, as no one was on him in Diego Martin.

"He choose to leave because he want the 'bad life.'"

She said they killed most of his friends in the area – friends Joseph would post daily on social media.

"He always posting '(redacted) see you soon boy.'

"I always warned him to stop doing that. He chose to die."

She said she would always have a soft spot for Joseph, as he was very loving and family oriented.