(Trinidad Express) A Housing Development Corporation (HDC) employee, who was part of a crew that went to do repairs at a St Paul Street, East Dry River, Port of Spain apartment, was ambushed and shot dead yesterday.
The victim has been identified by police as 29-year-old Willis Patrick Julien who was shot seven times in the head and upper body.
According to police around 3.30 p.m. Julien was in company with three other HDC employees at apartment 4-10 at St Paul Street—located behind the Besson Street Police Station—when two men armed with guns entered.
The suspects, police said, pushed aside the other employees and opened fire on Julien before making their escape. Julien slumped to the ground and died at the scene.
A team of officers from the Besson Street CID headed by Insp Sahadeo Singh, Cpls Charles Budri and Satnarine Sanker, visited the scene.
Woman Cpl Sylvester and PC Abraham of the Region I Homicide Bureau of Investigations are probing the incident.
Police are working on the theory that the victim may reside in a rival district.
Contacted last evening for comment, HDC’s managing director Jearlean John confirmed the incident, stating that Julien was a casual labourer who was given a day job to assist in repairs.
She said the corporation was deeply saddened by the incident and extended its condolences to the victim’s family.
According to John, yesterday’s incident shows the type of disrespect criminals have for law-abiding citizens in the country and the risk HDC workers are faced with on a daily basis.
She said the HDC intends to review its security arrangements when entering high-risk communities with a view to having police officers present to avoid similar incidents.
“It shows the level of crime taking place especially when somebody is going about their business trying to make an honest living and it shows the kind of risk the HDC is faced with when we have to go and conduct our legitimate duties in these high risk communities.
“The HDC has multiple facilities in high-risk communities and we are intent on providing the highest quality work in all communities and it’s extremely sad when these unforeseen situations occur,” John said.
