The Airports Authority has begun implementing heightened security measures at the Piarco International Airport following a fatal shooting incident early Thursday morning.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the Authority said steps have been taken in partnership with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and other agencies within the National Security framework to strengthen and enhance security at the airport.
This, after gunmen opened fire on a waiting vehicle at the airport at around 2am.
Police said 33-year-old Arkim Quash, also known as ‘Sours,’ of Nicholas Street, Maraval, died in the incident. According to police, he had just entered a vehicle in the Arrivals area of the airport when three men armed with high-powered weapons approached and shot at the vehicle. Quash and the driver of the vehicle were hit. Quash was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. The driver, Jeremy Diaz of La Platte Village, Maraval, was taken to hospital with gunshot wounds to both legs.
Eighteen 5.56 shells, thirteen 7.6 shells and nine 9mm shells, along with two projectiles, were recovered from the scene.
The Airports Authority noted some of the heightened security measures will go into effect immediately, while others will be implemented in the coming days.