Robbery suspect shot dead by JP identified

The man who was shot and killed by Justice of the Peace Don Asgarali on Thursday morning has been identified as Jean Petit. Petit, 29, of Mercer Road, Diego Martin, was identified by his sister, who confirmed it was him through closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) footage that was shown to her.

Asgarali was at his Kathleen Street, St James, home around 5 am when he heard a rattling at his front door. He drew his licensed 9mm pistol and went to the door. He was confronted by the knife-wielding Petit who lunged at him. Asgarali fired a single shot at Petit, who had gained entry by prising open the lock. Petit was hit in the chest and died on the spot.

Police from the St James Station, including Insp Henry Dann and Sgt Farrell, concluded that Petit gained access to Asgarali’s home over a side wall, which was at least eight feet high. Police believe Petit was responsible for several robberies in the St James area and at the time of his death was with another man who police say may have escaped after the shooting.