In a harrowing incident that has shaken the community of Penal, Trinidad and Tobago, a married couple, Babita Vialva, 40, and Raffeak Vialva, 51, were fatally shot during a violent home invasion in the early hours of November 17. The tragedy unfolded at their residence on Penal Rock Road, where they were accompanied by their 19-year-old daughter at the time of the attack.
According to an eyewitness, who was preparing for work at the time, an unidentified man arrived at the couple’s home around 3 am in a vehicle. The assailant forcefully entered the premises by breaking down the front door. The witness recounted hearing three distinct gunshots, prompting them to retreat upstairs for safety.
Upon investigation, relatives discovered Babita deceased in the bedroom, while Raffeak was found critically injured in the corridor. Despite efforts to save him, Raffeak succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. The couple’s daughter, fortunately, remained unharmed and was comforted by friends and family outside the home.
Authorities are currently exploring the possibility that the attack was a botched robbery. However, family members, who chose to remain anonymous, suggested that the intruder may have left empty-handed, as there was no evidence of the home being ransacked. The investigation continues as the community mourns the loss of the Vialva couple.