(Trinidad Guardian) A former national footballer was one of the two suspects killed by police in a robbery at Boundary Road in San Juan yesterday.
Akeem Benjamin, also known as Battery, represented Trinidad and Tobago as a defender. He also played with local football clubs such as W Connection, Central FC and most recently San Juan Jabloteh – where he won several domestic titles with the club. A third suspect was also held.
Benjamin lived at Burke Terrace, Barataria.
According to a police report, at about 12.20 pm, members of North Eastern Division Task Force, among them PC Ball, PC Andrews and WPC Leiba, responded to a report that three bandits were on the compound of Flavorite Foods. On arrival, the officers saw a man jumping a fence on the western side of the building. The report said the officers drove towards the El Socorro area to check the scene. The police saw two men running and chased them.
The men ran into a room on the western side of the building.The police entered the room and the suspects reportedly drew guns. The officers fired several shots, hitting the suspects. The police subsequently seized two guns –a pistol and a revolver.
The wounded suspects were taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, where they died. A third man, of Laventille, was detained
Also visiting the scene were ASP Parriman, Insp Bharath and Sgt Martin.
After news of his death went viral on social media, T&T Sport Diary extended condolences to his family: “Condolences to the family and friends of former national defender Akeem ‘Battery’ Benjamin who passed away earlier today (Wednesday).”