Trinidad and Tobago: Man shot dead during police confrontation in Mayaro

Trinidad and Tobago: A man has been allegedly shot dead by a police officer during an early-morning confrontation at the Tucker Energy Services Limited in New Lands Village, Mayaro on Sunday, August 23. The officials reported that the deceased has been identified as Ricardo of New Lands Village, who appeared to be in his late 20s to early 30s.

The officers from the Mayaro Criminal Investigations Department were responding to a report of an intruder on the compound of Tucker Energy Services at New Lands Village, Mayaro, at approximately 4:45 a.m.

Following the report, as the officers were investigating and searching the area, they noted that someone had been stealing copper and a quantity of electrical cables were missing.

They also found coils of the missing cables in a bushy area near the company’s perimeter fence. During the search, they allegedly spotted a man in an open area behind the compound who closely matched the description of the suspected intruder.

The officials reported that the man was carrying a cutlass, had a headlight on his head and was carrying a black backpack.

The police officer shouted, “Police don’t move,” as he identified himself to the man.

The man allegedly ran into the thick vegetation but officers followed him and caught up with him, as he dropped the cutlass after being ordered to do so.

Police officers further mentioned that the man had an iguana in his possession that was being kept during the closed season. Officers told him that he was being arrested but he resisted and pushed one of the officers in the chest before escaping from them.

He also attacked the officers by swinging the cutlass at them. To protect themself, the officers moved backwards but the cutlass struck his right hand.

The officers commanded him several times to drop the weapon but the man raised the cutlass again and attempted to strike the officer. Noticing that, the officer subsequently discharged his service firearm. He said he believed his life and his colleague’s life were in danger at that time.

The man was struck as he fell down a steep hill and was reported unresponsive.

Officers noted that they tried and attempted to render assistance to preserve his life, but the difficult terrain prevented him from being removed from the area quickly.

The District Medical Officer reported at the scene and subsequently pronounced him dead. The scene was photographed by the officials and several items including cutlass were recovered as evidence.

The officers who were injured were immediately taken for medical attention at the Mayaro District Health Facility, where they were treated and got discharged with minor injuries.