An investigation is to be launched to determine whether a police officer who opened fire on an off-duty Coast Guard officer on Tuesday, was justified in doing so.

According to reports, the 34 year old Coast Guard officer was at his home at Berridge Trace, South Oropouche when at around 5:45am, police arrived to execute a court ordered eviction. 

The officers, attached to the Port of Spain Division, were allegedly attacked with a cutlass. One of the officers responded by pulling the trigger on his firearm, shooting the man in his abdomen.

The Coast Guard Officer was eventually taken to the San Fernando General Hospital for treatment. 

In a statement on Tuesday,  the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard noted the incident, adding that it remains committed to “working together with partner agencies to provide safety and security to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”