Three people were killed and six others, including a police officer, were wounded during a shootout between Western Division officers and residents of Big Yard, Carenage, this evening.
Residents said teenager Naomi Nelson and the Godson of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley were among the dead. However, the names of the victims are yet to be revealed.
The TTPS said in a statement that Western Division officers on patrol in Carenage were attempting to arrest a suspect who was liming on the street with a group of men when the incident happened. It said as the officers were trying to apprehend the suspect, another man drew a gun and opened fire on the officers around 7.30 pm. It said a police officer was shot but the officer returned fire, striking the shooter. It added that in the exchange of gunfire three people were fatally wounded.
Nelson, 14, of East Mucurapo Secondary, was said to have been walking along the street when she was hit by a stray bullet.
Residents said the exchange of bullets sounded like "fireworks." However, they are now calling for Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith to thoroughly investigate the action of the officers.
It said ACP Jayson Forde, along with Snr Supt Pragg, Insp Vincent and officers from Western Division, Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB), Emergency Response Patrol (ERP) and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) responded to maintain law and order. It added that police and soldiers would continue to maintain a heavy presence in Carenage.
Investigations are continuing.