(Trinidad Express) Two men were killed this afternoon after they murdered a businessman in Cunupia. The thieves were shot dead by police following a chase through Central Trinidad, which ended in Freeport.
The Express was told that at around 10.30 a.m. 45-year-old businessman Darren Shane Painter was shot during a robbery at his business place at Southern Main Road, Cunupia.
Painter, of Ragoonanan Road, Cunupia, was the owner of a cellular and accessories business, and an auto rental business.
At around 10.30 a.m, a suspect approached Painter as he stood outside the business. Witnesses said that the gunman laughed as he shot Painter, who died at the scene. A gun was found near Painter’s body.
The killer left in a Mazda 3 motorcar, which police later found abandoned in Cunupia. Police were told the gunman, the driver and a third man got into a second vehicle and were headed south along the Solomon Hochoy Highway when a party of police officers of the Central and Southern Division and aerial support led by Senior Superintendant Johnny Abraham, Inspector Williams and Sgt Tooleram, began a pursuit.
The suspects abandoned the vehicle in Freeport near the Highway Roti Shop and fled into the bushes, the Express was told. Police said officers searched the area and when the thieves were confronted, there was a shootout.
Two suspects were shot. They were taken to the Chaguanas Health Facility where they were pronounced dead. The third suspect was arrested. Police officers are currently at the crime scenes in Cunupia and Freeport.
The identities of the suspects have not been disclosed. The surviving suspect is expected to go before identification parades to determine whether he was involved in other crimes.
