(Trinidad Express) A police officer was one of three men shot and killed Thursday night in separate attacks in north, east and south Trinidad.
The deaths have taken the homicide toll this year so far to 161, according to an Express count.
Constable Curtis Clapham, who was the driver of former Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs, died after being shot at Robert Street, Woodbrook. The Express was told that at around midnight, Clapham was parked at Roberts Street, when he was approached by two men who tried to rob him.
Clapham was able to shoot and kill one suspect.
The second man shot Clapham and escaped. The officer died at the scene. The shooter was captured by responding police, in Morvant. Clapham is the third police officer to be shot and killed this year. Last month, Corporal Terance Abraham was shot and killed at Milton, Couva in an attack that is yet to be solved.
In February, Sergeant Hayden Manwarren was shot and killed responding to a robbery in San Fernando. Four persons have been charged with Manwarren’s killing. Meanwhile, police said that Jason John, 39, was sitting under a tree near his home liming with a friend at Sunrees Road Extension, Penal, at around 7.10 p.m. They were approached by a man who pulled a firearm and fired several shots.
John was shot multiple times. He ran towards his house, but collapsed and died. The suspect fired several more shots, one of which hit bystander Glen Roberts. Roberts, 58, also of Sunrees Road Extension, was struck by a bullet on the left side of his abdomen. He is warded in stable condition at hospital. A party of police officers led by Senior Superintendent Lewis, Superintendent Ramlal, ASP Basdeo and Inspector Seedharie visited the scene.
Less than an hour later Sarwan Sieunarine, 40,was shot dead on the steps of his home. At around 8 p.m. Sieunarine, of Khanbhan Street, Rio Claro, had just returned from the supermarket, when he was shot multiple times.
ACP Dick, and ASP Lewis visited the scene.