By FRANCIS JOSEPH
Imagine one family losing three members to violence over the years – a father and two sons.
The latest was Jalon “Lolo” Graham, 21, who became Tobago’s sixth murder victim for 2026 after he was gunned down around 10.15 pm in Union on Friday night.
Police said Graham and a friend were walking south along Old Whim Road near the community centre when a gunman sneaked up from behind and shot him.
He ran a few metres before he collapsed and died. The gunman fled. No motive has been established.
Graham’s sister, Jada, said she last spoke to her brother on Thursday night.
She said that, like any sibling relationship, they quarrelled at times, but she loved him.
She said their father was killed in a confrontation with police in Mt Grace, Tobago, several years ago, while another brother was shot and killed by police during an incident in Trinidad.
She described Graham as a talented footballer who represented Whim Anglican Primary School and Mason Hall Secondary as a defender.
An image posted to Facebook showed him in his Whim uniform shaking the hands of former President Anthony Carmona during a football match.
A witness said he saw Graham about 45 minutes before he was murdered.
He said Graham was with a group of people when he left to buy chicken and chips with his friend.
Another onlooker described Graham as a good fella who liked to lime.
“He like he rum and he like he woman,” he said.
There was a heated confrontation between the police and relatives and friends of Graham as they tried to get closer to the crime scene to see his body.
However, police ordered the group back towards Plymouth Road despite angry protests and outbursts by some.
Assemblyman Ricky Joefield said he was saddened by the incident, noting that the loss of a young life is always unfortunate.
Police are investigating the incident.
