Stabbing, shooting mar Grande J’Ouvert

Shootings, stabbings and robberies were reported in several parts of north Trinidad as Carnival celebrations swung into high gear yesterday. In one incident, a 31-year-old man was stabbed by five men during J’Ouvert celebrations in Sangre Grande. Kevin Civiline, of Ramdass Street, Sangre Grande, was up to late yesterday receiving medical treatment at the Sangre Grande Hospital. Police said Civiline was standing along the Eastern Main Road at around 5 am when he was approached by five men armed with knives. He was stabbed and a bottle was broken over his head. 

 

A 24-year-old Sangre Grande man was shot as he stood at the side of Wallenville Road, while talking on his cellphone. At around 12.30 am a silver Nissan motor vehicle pulled up alongside Ashton Beckles, of Guaico. Three men came out of the car and shot Beckles in the head and chest. He was taken to Sangre Grande Hospital then transferred to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. Western Division officers yesterday arrested a 27-year-old man at Fatima Junction in Paramin, Maraval, and seized a nine millimetre Barrington pistol with nine rounds of ammunition.

 

According to reports, at around 6.45 am, Cpl Pancho Hunte, along with PCs Bernard, Joseph, Samuel, Bergess and Campbell of the Western Division Tactical Unit were on patrol when they saw a man acting suspiciously. The suspect, of Le Platte Village was searched and the firearm was found in his possession. In another incident in Maraval, police are searching for three men in connection with the sexual assault of a woman during J’Ouvert celebrations in the district. The victim told police she was offered a drop by a man she knew. There were two other men in the vehicle. They took her to a bushy area where she was sexually assaulted. Police said a total of 54 people were arrested in Port-of-Spain and environs on outstanding warrants, possession of weapons and other offences.