(Trinidad Guardian) A suspected hit from behind the prisons walls may have been responsible for the killing of prisons superintendent David Millette.
The 50-year-old-officer, who had some 20 years service, was gunned down around 8.30 am as he entered his car which was parked in front his home at Cipriani Avenue, Second Caledonia.
Investigators said they were told by residents that shortly after Millette entered his car loud explosions were heard.
He was found slumped in the driver’s seat. The engine was still running and windshield wipers were on.
Millette was killed mere hours after three prisons officers were attacked by a knife-wielding inmate at the Maximum Security Prison on Sunday, resulting in prison officers describing the situation as “boiling point.”
And in light of the recent attacks against prisons officers National Security Minister Edmund Dilllon, in an interview, said he was considering giving prisons officers permission to carry firearms.
He said he was concerned that officers of the protective services who serve the country were apparently under attack from criminal elements.
In an immediate release, the Law Association condemned Millette’s killing, describing it as an attack not only on the Prisons Service but the Judicial Service as well.
A statement issued by the association yesterday, not only called on a through investigation into the slaying but also demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice.
The association also urged the police to bring a satisfactory level of control over the crime scourge sweeping the country.
“The association has every confidence that the police will thoroughly investigate this matter and bring those responsible to justice,” it added.
As scores of police officers gathered at the hilly terrain processing the crime scene, residents gathered in small clusters.
Some spoke nonchalantly about the latest slaying in a community already beset by violent crimes.
Tension, however, momentarily rose when a young male suspect, with a blue jersey pulled over his head, was whisked away by police into a waiting jeep.
But as he was being lead away a handful of residents vociferously spoke on his behalf.
“What is dat one? He is an innocent youth man. Allyuh holding de people. He here liming with we whole morning,” one woman said, as others joined in the man’s defence.
Insp Roger Alexander quickly intervened to quell concerns, assuring residents that the police were simply doing their work.
Millette had no children. His wife who arrived on the scene around 10 am briefly stood at the side of the roadway, accompanied by four people.
She then got into a heavily-tinted SUV and sat in the back seat for an hour and a half before the driver drove off.
Death threats
As tears welled in her eyes David’s elderly mother, Phyllis, recalled fears expressed by her first-born.
She said her son, who was on a one-year vacation, had told her his name was on a purported list bearing the names of 100 prisons officers to be killed.
She said yesterday morning David was supposed to take her to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital to visit her husband who recently suffered a heart attack.
“But my son told me he was not feeling so good. He got wet and was feeling a little feverish. So from the hospital I went with the driver to see if I could get some feed for the fowls and while doing that my daughter from England called me.
“She told me something very serious happen to David home. I then call the gardener by me and that is when I find out… he tell me David dead,” the frail 71-year-old woman said.
Regarding a motive for her son’s death, Phyllis said he did not provide her with any particulars.
“He didn’t say anybody was threatening him but he did say his name was on a list ….on a list of a 100 prisons officers. He told me that before he went on holidays a few months ago,” Phyllis said.
She said her son, who was last assigned to the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution and the Maximum Security Prison, was supposed to return to work next July.
As tears flowed freely down her cheeks, Phyllis’ gnarled hands trembled as she described her son as loving, kind and always willing to assist.
He was very, very nice. If I call him to do anything he would do it,” Phyllis said.
Her younger son, Stevenson Jr, said while he was unaware of the details surrounding his brother’s death, he had confidence in the work of the police.
