Fatal shooting on Ariapita Avenue: police call Port of Spain safe amid gang probe

28-year-old Jalani George was shot dead in his car on Fitt Street on December 14. Police say the killing appears gang-related and call for calm.

Police urge calm after Ariapita Avenue killing

According to newsday.co.tt, Senior Superintendent of Police Raymond Thom moved to reassure the public on December 15, one day after a fatal shooting in Port of Spain. "Things aren't wild in the city," Thom said, describing the capital as "relatively safe, and there is nothing to panic anybody about."

The shooting claimed the life of Jalani George, 28, of Morvant, who was found shot dead inside his silver Hyundai Creta on Fitt Street, Ariapita Avenue on December 14. No arrests have been made, and investigators are still working to establish how many perpetrators were involved.

Thom said police have not yet confirmed whether George was the intended target, but described the incident as gang-related and isolated. "It appears to be gang-related," he stated at the close of his remarks.

Addressing broader concerns about crime in the capital during the busy pre-Christmas period, Thom acknowledged that violence had not been eliminated but pointed to a downward trend. "It's not to say there is no violence in the city," he said. "There has been a decrease of crime in the city when it comes to robberies, wrongdoing and shootings."

He urged residents and shoppers currently active in Port of Spain to "adhere to the normal safety measures."

Citing statistics for the comparable period in 2024, Thom reported a notable drop in the most serious offences. "If you check the statistics, you will see, for example, there has been over a 66 per cent decrease in murders compared to 2024," he said.

Investigations are continuing.

Source: Google News TT — Port of Spain