A 27-year-old man was shot and killed near his home on George Street, Port-of-Spain, on Sunday night, less than a week after his release from detention under the State of Emergency.
Deshawn “Deedee” Manson was found dead near the health centre in the community around 10.20 pm. He had been liming under a tent in the area at the time of the attack.
Police said officers were on patrol in the area when residents alerted them to a man’s body.
Manson was identified by a relative, who declined to answer questions about the circumstances surrounding his death. Police said other people in the area also declined to provide information.
Investigators found several spent 9mm shells at the scene.
Officers from the Region I Homicide Bureau are continuing investigations.
Manson had been detained under a Preventive Detention Order (PDO) during the latest SoE that ended last week (September 17).
According to information contained in the PDO, investigators identified Manson as a member of the 9 Gang, which authorities described as an organised criminal group operating in Laventille and Port-of-Spain.
The order alleged that the group was involved in murders, armed robberies, narcotics trafficking and firearm distribution. Authorities also alleged that the group had access to high-powered weapons and was involved in an ongoing violent conflict with rival groups, including plans for retaliatory shootings in public spaces.
It’s unclear if Manson was ever charged since allegations contained in the PDO have not been tested in court.
Investigations are also continuing into the discovery of a burnt corpse in a car in some bushes at Rodney Road, Arena Road, Freeport, on Sunday.
Reports indicate that officials attached to the Central Division Task Force, Area South, were on mobile patrol around 2.05 pm when they observed a silver Mazda hidden behind a bamboo patch. Upon checking, they observed the burnt remains in the driver’s seat.
