(Trinidad Express) Two men and an 18-year-old woman were shot and killed by police in Tunapuna early yesterday morning during what a senior officer described as an exchange of gunfire.
Seconds before the shootings, one of the victims—Shaquille “Dust Boss” McGregor, 29—was on a live Instagram video with six people viewing, when the officers came knocking on the door of his Lovell Street, Monte Grande, home around 5 a.m.
Also killed were Jadel Ottley, 18, who was said to be pregnant; and another man who was only identified as “Silence” up to yesterday evening.
Even though the moments leading up to the shooting were being streamed live, the faces of the officers were not seen.
When police called upon McGregor to open the door, he told them he was about to do so.
“I am live on Instagram, I am in my boxers, I coming to open the door, I coming, I have nothing (illegal),” McGregor said.
As the officers entered the room, McGregor was instructed to put his hands in the air.
“My hands up, my hands up, I have nothing,” he is heard saying in the Instagram video.
At that point the video goes dark and McGregor is heard screaming: “Look my hands in the air, look my hands in the air, look I have nothing on me, I have nothing.”
The screaming continues then the video suddenly ends.
Following the shooting, all three were taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, where they were pronounced dead.
Head of the North Central Division Snr Supt Richard Smith said his officers went to the location to execute a warrant, in search of firearms and ammunition.
He said when the officers arrived, “there was a violent confrontation with three suspects resulting in an exchange of gunfire leaving three people dead”.
Smith said two firearms, a nine millimetre pistol and a Colt revolver, were recovered at the scene.
He noted that none of the officers was injured.
“At this stage I want to offer my condolences to the bereaved families, as any life lost in any circumstances is a serious blow for our nation.
“Also, I want to thank members of the public for the information that you have been giving to us (and) that is causing us to be successful in several of our operations,” said Smith.
He said he wanted to give an assurance to members of the public and the families of the victims that the incident will be thoroughly investigated.
Smith noted he has appointed ASP Rawle Ramharack as lead investigator into the incident.
Police have shot and killed five people for the year so far.
