A grieving father broke down in tears on Friday as he struggled to comprehend the brutal killing of his seven-year-old son, Adriel Aftab Mohamed, during a home invasion at Zeelugt Phase Three Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo.
The young lad was found dead inside the home on Friday morning with his throat slit. His 71-year-old grandmother, Haliman Itwari, who suffers from the effects of a stroke and is unable to walk, was also attacked and stabbed to the neck during the incident. She remains hospitalised.
According to preliminary police reports, an armed intruder entered the residence and attacked the occupants. Adriel sustained fatal injuries during the incident.
Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the area, which reportedly shows a lone male suspect surveilling the neighbourhood before jumping the gate and entering the property.
The footage is expected to play a critical role in the ongoing investigation as detectives work to establish a motive and identify the suspect.
Standing outside the family home where the tragedy unfolded, the distraught father, Adriel Mohamed, spoke of his regret, heartbreak and the deep love he had for his only child.
“Like right now, I ain’t get no feelings. My son means everything to me,” he told members of the media.
Fighting back tears, the father said he had spent years working tirelessly as a single parent to provide for Adriel and ensure he had everything he needed for school and life.
“I’m sorry I didn’t went around to protect mi son. My son stayed home because I guh work and get money. I is work to take care of my child,” he said.
The devastated father recalled that he had intended to collect the child himself on Friday morning.
“I said I was going to collect this child this morning before he run a road and thing knock he. I say let me collect him, but mi old man say he gon collect his grandson.”
Hours later, his world came crashing down.
“This morning my sister called and say somebody killed he,” he said, visibly shaken.
As investigators processed the scene, the father reflected on the sacrifices he had made to provide for his son.
“As a single parent, I is work hard to make sure my son thing set and get everything for school. I like my son bad,” he said.
