Police Commissioner Gary Griffith has revealed that a suspect, who had a record of 16 criminal charges, including murder, was shot dead by police in the Laventille district early this morning.

The incident occurred as officers of the Inter-Agency Task Force were conducting an anti- crime exercise around 4.20am on Wednesday 15th April 2020. During the exercise they proceeded to the Upper Prizgar Road, Laventille to the home of a 34-year-old man to execute a search warrant for arms and ammunition.

According to the TTPS upon entering the premises, officers called out to the suspect, who emerged armed with a gun and shot at them. The officers returned fire hitting the gunman. The wounded man was rushed to the Port of Spain General Hospital for treatment where he died shortly after.

The victim was identified as Vincent Moore, aka “Chinee”, who had a record of 16 charges, including possession of firearm and ammunition; possession of firearm and ammunition to endanger lives, wounding with intent, and possession of marijuana. Moore was released from prison recently on a charge of murder. A pistol loaded with six rounds of ammunition and one spent shell were recovered from the scene.

The following is the full statement on the shooting: