Prison Service FC forward Nathan Julien was murdered last night during a drive-by shooting in Maloney. He was 28 years old. Unconfirmed reports suggest that two others were injured during the gun fire.
A gifted player, Julien was comfortable playing on either flank or upfront and was the Trinidad and Tobago Super League’s top goalscorer in 2019.
Prisons assistant coach Gary Prescott confirmed that Julien had applied for a job at Prison Service and was awaiting recruitment before tragedy hit.
Before joining Prisons, Julien played for FC Santa Rosa and WASA FC. Santa Rosa president Keith Look Loy said the young man had a big impact on the ‘Big Cannons’ and the club is shocked at his untimely death.
“Nathan was a good soul—quiet, affable and easy going,” said Look Loy. “He wouldn’t hurt a fly. He had tremendous potential as a player. He was tall, quick and had a nose for goal.
“This is a tragic night for Maloney, Santa Rosa, Prisons, football and Trinidad and Tobago, because we have lost a good son.”
The following is a statement from Prisons FC assistant coach Gary Prescott:
Nathan has been with us since 2017. He has top scored for us in each season and was the overall top scorer of the National Super League last season. He played a massive role in helping the T&T Prison Service to our maiden Super League Title.
Nathan was like the ‘spoil child’ on the team; but when game time came, he stepped up and was man of the match more often than any other player. He was ambitious, humble and very quiet.
Nathan was definitely not involved in any gang or criminal activities. He was the type of child that any ‘black’ mother would want to have. He was quiet, almost shy even. He hardly spoke and, if he did, it was always softly.
He definitely was a product of a good upbringing and his parents can definitely lift their heads high and say they raised a good young man—one who was a good example to his peers and had a bright future.
He wanted to become a prison officer and I knew he would have been a great addition to the service.
This news has rocked the Prison Service football team. Many of our players called me tonight crying uncontrollably. The Prisons FC and by extension the Prison service supporters and officers are in grief because Nathan was family to us.
No words can truly express our sorrow. We keep his mom and other relatives in our prayers, because we understand that, just as we cannot replace him on the field, I’m sure his mom wouldn’t be able to replace him in her life.
Knowing this we will lift her up in prayers, as we mourn together with all those who knew and loved Nathan.