Commissioner of Police, Erla Harewood-Christopher has released a statement about the shooting of six suspected bandits. Check out what she had to say on the matter below.

Investigations revealed that around 6:30 am on Wednesday 14th August, a 68-year-old man of Otis Lane Extension No 2, Balmain, Couva, was in the living room of his home when three men, one of whom was armed with a firearm, entered the premises and announced a robbery. The assailants then proceeded to ransack the victim’s home, where he was relieved of his wallet containing his identification cards, bank cards, $500 cash and a quantity of jewellery.

The assailants then escaped on foot by running in an easterly direction along Otis Lane Extension. At approximately 11:35 am, following intelligence received, officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Couva and the Central Division Task Force (CDTF) proceeded to a location at Razack Trace, Freeport. Upon arrival at the premises, the officers identified a Toyota Aqua, reportedly linked to the recent robbery.

The officers were met with gunfire and returned fire in response. As a result, six individuals—five males and one female—sustained injuries and were transported to the Couva Health Facility, where they were pronounced dead.

Police recovered items belonging to the robbery victim at the scene, along with three firearms.
The suspects were identified as:

1. Jovan Simon, 31, of Diamond Village, Claxton Bay and Nelson
Street, Perseverance, Couva,
2. A 16-year-old female, of George Street, La Romaine
3. Nicholas Caesar
4. Saleem John, 19, of Sum Hill, Claxton Bay
5. Kevon John, 23, of Sum Hill, Claxton Bay
6. Isaiah Olivierre, 21, of Maturita Marie Avenue, Arima

In this incident, four of the persons who lost their lives were under the age of 25.”

This reveals a deeply troubling trend where young persons under the age of 25 are the primary subjects in many of our investigations into criminal activities.

This requires us as a society to confront this issue with honesty, urgency and a strong resolve. The important and crucial role of parents and guardians cannot be understated as you play the primary role of guiding our youth toward positive and constructive paths. We need to actively engage with young people, support them and help them to navigate through these turbulent times and steer them away from the appeal of criminal behaviour.

While the outcome of yesterday’s exercise is indeed tragic, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has to maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding home invasions. These are serious crimes and their effects are far reaching, as one incident can rob an entire community of the peace and safety previously enjoyed. We are committed to pursuing and holding accountable, all those who perpetrate these offences. They will face the full force of law enforcement, and we will continue to implement the necessary measures to protect our law-abiding citizens, especially our elderly and vulnerable.

As with all police-involved shootings, this incident will be thoroughly investigated in accordance with our standard operating procedures.”

Meanwhile, investigations related to the offences are also continuing.