Trinidad: Suspected plantain thief killed by farmer, 2 men gunned down

Police at the scene of the killing in San Fernando.
Police at the scene of the killing in San Fernando.

(Trinidad Express) Southern Division police are investigating three deaths in three separate shooting incidents on Friday.

In the first incident, a 68-year-old farmer refused to fall victim to three men who had stolen bunches of plantains from his garden in Princes Town.

Police said at around 4.50pm, the farmer who lives nearby was alerted that men were stealing his crops in his garden at Borde Narve Branch Road.

 
The farmer went to his garden and caught the men loading the stolen crops into a vehicle, police said. He called out to the men and one pointed a firearm at him, threatening to shoot.

The farmer, who owns a 12-gauge shotgun, told police he became fearful for his life and fired one shot at the men.

Two of the men began running, police said, while the driver sped off.

One of the men collapsed on the roadway.

He died at the scene. He was not immediately identified.

Police said the a 34-year-old Marabella man was arrested near the scene.

Police are searching for the third suspect.

 
At around 6.50pm, a man identified as Junior “Tallo” Timothy was shot dead in a drive-by shooting in La Romaine.

Police said Timothy was driving his Nissan Tucson along Southern Main Road, La Romaine, when a white van pulled alongside his vehicle.

The occupants of the white van opened fire on Timothy. He was shot multiple times and died in the driver’s seat of his vehicle.

Minutes later, another drive-by shooting was reported metres away from the San Fernando Police Station.

At around 7.15pm, gunmen opened fire on a gold coloured Nissan Tiida car along Lord Street.

The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a fence.

Police the three occupants were wounded.

The Express was told that the men were placed into a vehicle and taken to the San Fernando General Hospital. The driver was pronounced dead on arrival.

The passengers, ages 16 and 33, were admitted to hospital in serious condition.

Police have requested closed circuit camera footage from buildings in the area to assist in the investigations.