A 26-year-old man was shot and killed by police during a controlled anti-extortion operation in Tunapuna on Thursday afternoon, after officers said he pointed a firearm at them while collecting marked cash from a businessman.
The dead man has been identified as Jaden Pierre, of Hibiscus Drive, Edinburgh 500.
In a statement yesterday, police said the operation was conducted by officers of the Anti-Extortion Unit (AEU), with support from the Home Invasion Team (HIT), following reports from a business owner who claimed he had been repeatedly extorted over the past three weeks.
According to police, the businessman reported paying a total of $1,800 to a man who made demands over the phone and collected the money in person. The suspect allegedly later demanded monthly payments of $3,000 beginning on April 30.
Police said officers organised a ‘sting at the businessman’s premises, where marked cash was prepared. While officers were waiting, the victim allegedly received an additional demand for $500, which was also included in the prepared payment.
At around 4.15 p.m., Pierre reportedly arrived at the location in a Hyundai Tucson, parked along Basilon Street, Tunapuna, and entered the business place where he collected a white envelope containing the cash.
Police said that as Pierre exited the building, he was confronted by two AEU officers who identified themselves as police.
“The suspect then produced a firearm and pointed it in the direction of one of the officers,” the TTPS stated.
Fearing for their lives, both officers discharged their service weapons, striking Pierre.
He was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, where he was pronounced dead.
Police said a firearm and the envelope containing $3,500 in marked cash were recovered at the scene.
Investigators also reported that the vehicle in which Pierre arrived sped away after the shooting, triggering a police chase. During the pursuit, the driver reportedly collided with several vehicles before escaping. An All-Points Bulletin has since been issued for the SUV.
In follow-up operations, officers of the Home Invasion Team conducted an exercise at Assaraph Road, Charlieville, where a man and a woman were arrested in connection with the investigation.
