(Trinidad Guardian) Police officer and drag racing enthusiast Dale ‘Rug Rat’ Mayers died after he was shot while at a bar in Longdenville, Chaguanas on Monday night.
Mayers, 52, of Arima was shot during what investigators believe was a botched robbery at Unique Bar located along the main road near Penco Lands. The incident occurred around 10 pm.
Mayers and two others were sitting at a table in the bar when a lone gunman walked in and announced a hold-up.
The gunman pointed the gun at Mayers and two others and then shot Mayers in the chest. Mayers, who was quick on the draw pulled out his licensed firearm and shot the suspect, who ran off just after he shot him.
Mayers was taken to the Chaguanas Health Facility where he died while undergoing medical treatment.
Police said Mayers was in the Central area for a meeting pertaining to racing and after he decided to go with two friends for a few drinks.
The suspect of George Street in Port-of-Spain was later held by police while seeking medical attention for a gunshot wound to the shoulder and back at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.
Police said at about 12:30 am PC Taylor of the Besson Street CID, received a phone call from the hospital of a man seeking medical attention for gunshot wounds.
The officer went to the hospital where he met and interviewed the said man who gave his name and age as 23 years of George Street, Port of Spain.
The suspect told the officer that around 10:30 pm he was on George Street in a vehicle driven by his cousin when a black Tucson pulled alongside them and he heard several loud explosions and felt something burning on his shoulder and back.
However, Taylor said that the man fits the description of the man seen in video footage that was being circulated of the shooting in the Central Division involving Mayers.
Mayers, who was involved in the racing of cars and boats, had a passion and adrenaline rush for the sport. He began racing at the age of 15 years.
Mayers recently told a friend that he had plans to retire from the T&T Police Service this year.
The wounded suspect is currently under police guard at the POSGH.