A manhunt is now underway for suspects implicated in the murder of 48-year-old policeman PC Romell Douglas, who was gunned down while sitting in his Nissan Tiida in Kelly Village, Caroni, on Tuesday night.
Police said Douglas, who was last attached to the Four Roads Police Station’s CID, was sitting in his car at the corner of the Caroni South Bank Road and Hydraulic Trace, near the Rainbow Supermarket, at around 11.05 pm, when he was confronted by bandits who tried to rob him.
Douglas shot one of his attackers with his licensed pistol, but was also shot in the process. The bandits managed to steal his gun before escaping.
Officers from the Special Response Unit were on patrol nearby and visited the scene, where they found Douglas’ body slumped in the driver’s side seat of his car. A district medical officer later declared him dead at the scene.
Police said the wounded suspect was dropped off at the Arima General Hospital, where he died from wounds shortly after.
During a TTPS media briefing yesterday morning, Public Information Officer ASP Owie Russell confirmed that the dead suspect was 19-year-old Adetola Ammon, of Arima.
A getaway vehicle, believed to have been used by the attackers, was later found abandoned in Maloney Gardens.
As of yesterday afternoon, there were conflicting accounts over what Douglas was doing at the corner at that time of night, as some suggested he was waiting for someone when he was killed.
Guardian Media tried to speak with a supervisor at the Rainbow Supermarket but he declined to comment on Douglas’ murder, which happened within walking distance of the business.
In December, 2019, off-duty police officer PC Nicholas Victor was shot and killed while moonlighting as security at the supermarket. His licensed pistol was also stolen at the time.
Responding to Guardian Media’s questions via WhatsApp yesterday morning, Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro confirmed the incident.
“A co-ordinated manhunt is currently underway for additional suspects. I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of PC Douglas, and assure the public that the TTPS will provide further updates as additional verified information becomes available,” Guevarro said.
Also contacted for comment, TTPS Social Welfare Association (TTPSSWA) president, acting ASP Ishmael Pitt, condemned Douglas’ murder but declined to comment directly on issues relating to officers working as part-time security officers privately for extra money.
He, however, hoped that officers would be adequately compensated to avoid unnecessary risks.
“We continue to reiterate the call for police officers to be appropriately remunerated given the type of duties that we perform and as such, when police officers are properly well remunerated and the terms and conditions are such that reflect a modern organisation, we are quite certain that our officers would be in a position to make the best decisions regarding their welfare and well-being,” Pitt said.
When Guardian Media visited the scene yesterday, Region III Homicide Bureau officers were seen visiting nearby houses and businesses to try and speak with residents while canvassing for evidence and CCTV footage.
Vendors from a nearby produce stall told Guardian Media they believe a stray bullet from the shooting hit one tables where they place their goods, as they noticed part of the wood splintered when they arrived for work.
“We left this good yesterday and look at what happened here. It’s sad what happened where someone lost their life, but God was good for us, because this happened at a time when none of us were out here,” they said.
“Sometimes I have my children here and all kind of thing, but fortunately this happened late at night.”
One woman, who asked not to be named, said one of her relatives recalled hearing close to 12 shots sometime around 11 pm, but did not know someone died until they awoke yesterday.
“We lived around the corner and we heard those shots. It wasn’t a nice thing at all, but what can you do?” she said.
“Around 11 o’clock is a ghost town here. The grocery is closed, the vendors don’t be open, the snow cone man doesn’t be out. It’s dangerous on this side.”
Another resident lamented the spate of violence, noting that businesses and people in the area were often targeted by outsiders, adding that while she did not hear the gunfire, she was troubled by Douglas’ murder.
“By 9 pm I am in my house. I know that violence and crime can come to you anywhere, but this crime is completely out of hand.
“Look, just the other day they beat up and steal a chain from a vendor up the road there and they held somebody with a gun. Where are these young people getting these guns from?”
Guardian Media visited Douglas Derrick Road, Chase Village, Chaguanas, the community where Douglas was last known to have lived, but several residents were unable to confirm exactly where he lived, noting the size of the road.
Officers of the Region III Homicide Bureau are continuing enquiries.
