Man killed, woman critically injured in Trinidad police shooting
A police-involved shooting in St Augustine left one man dead and a 24-year-old woman in critical condition after officers exchanged gunfire with suspects during a high-speed pursuit.
Man killed, woman critically injured in Trinidad police shooting
A man was fatally wounded and a young woman left fighting for her life following a police-involved shooting in St Augustine on Monday afternoon. The incident marks the fourth such shooting in Trinidad and Tobago so far this year.
Officers identified the deceased as Joshua Samaroo. His female companion, a 24-year-old resident of Bamboo Settlement 1 in Valsayn, remained in critical condition at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope as of Monday evening.
According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, officers on patrol in the North Eastern Division were alerted to a high-speed pursuit that reportedly began in Maloney around 12:30 pm. The suspects were travelling west along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in a white Toyota Aqua.
As police joined the chase, authorities said the occupants of the vehicle opened fire on officers. The officers returned fire in accordance with the TTPS Use of Force Policy.
Both suspects were struck by gunfire. The driver lost control of the car, which came to rest in a shallow drain at the corner of Dookiesingh Street and Bassie Street Extension in St Augustine.
Emergency responders removed the wounded pair from the vehicle and transported them to hospital, where Samaroo later succumbed to his injuries.
Police confirmed that a firearm was recovered from inside the suspects' vehicle.
A senior officer from the North Eastern Division rejected suggestions that officers were operating as a hit squad. "We are performing our duties. This came over the wireless set, and the police have a duty to respond when there is a report, especially from the Command Centre," he stated.
Nearby residents described a frightening scene. An elderly woman living close to the site said she quickly checked on her grandchildren and urged them to remain indoors. Two 15-year-old boys playing a video game in a house opposite the crash site said they heard sirens followed by rapid gunfire. One teen, whose hand was still trembling an hour later, recounted lying on the ground until the shooting stopped.
Despite admitting that gunshots are not unusual in the area, the youths praised officers for protecting the community. "We can't vex with them, they doing their job to protect the community," one said.
David West, Director of the Police Complaints Authority, indicated he would respond to the incident by Tuesday.
Senior officers within the TTPS reiterated that personnel will continue to defend themselves against armed threats when confronting criminals.
Source: Trinidad Guardian
Source: Google News TT — Crime