One man was fatally wounded and another injured during separate police-involved shooting incidents yesterday.
In the Eastern Division, Task Force officers were on mobile patrol along the Eastern Main road, Sangre Chiquito, around 2:10 am on Wednesday 27th November, 2024, when they stopped a white H100 van with three male occupants.
The van was observed to be conveying bulky items concealed under a tarpaulin in the tray.
On seeing the officers, the one of the men exited the vehicle and ran off, while the other two were promptly detained.
A chase ensued into a swampy area, where the suspect got into difficulty attempting to navigate the waterlogged terrain.
As the officers approached him, the suspect allegedly drew a firearm and fired in their direction. The officers, in keeping with the Use of Force Policy, discharged their service issued firearms in the direction of the suspect.
The man is said to have thrown the gun into the water and was apprehended shortly after.
He was taken to hospital for treatment and discharged.
The three suspects, ages, 33 and 18, all of the Eastern Division, were arrested in connection with the incident.
The van was found to be conveying a power generator and other tools, while attempts to locate the firearm proved futile.
Meanwhile, in the Southern Division, Task Force officers were on mobile patrol around 2:30 am yesterday, in the Tarouba district, when they observed a vehicle being driven by an individual wearing a mask covering their face and head.
The officers gave chase and the vehicle stopped in the vicinity of the Marabella roundabout, where it is alleged the man pointed an object resembling a firearm in the direction of the officers and a loud explosion was heard.
The vehicle then sped off and officers subsequently intercepted at Battoo Avenue Recreation Ground.
The gunman allegedly fired several more shots at the officers, who in keeping with the Use of Force Policy, discharged their service issued firearms in his direction.
The suspect who suffered gunshot wounds was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital, where he died.
One pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition was subsequently recovered from the scene.
Checks later revealed that the vehicle was reportedly stolen from the La Romaine district around 7 pm, on Tuesday 26th November, 2024.
The suspect was later identified as Wilfred Baptiste, 61, of Marabella.
Investigations are ongoing into the two above incidents.
Corporate Communications Unit
November 28th, 2024