Murdered TT RideShare driver Shakem Charles was not on duty when he went missing on July 9.
Speaking to Guardian Media, TT RideShare Executive Chairman, Dwight Housend, said, however, that despite Charles not being on their platform at the time, they were still able to assist law enforcement.
“There is a profound sense of loss and responsibility, knowing that people have placed their trust in us. While I can confirm that Shakem was not on a ride at the time, our systems indicate he was not heading to a ride either, Housend said.
Charles, 32, of Indian Walk, was last seen on July 9 around 5 pm, when he left his girlfriend’s home at Manahambre Road, Princes Town, in his white Yaris Cross.
He was found dead on July 13 in a bushy area off Sunrees Branch Road, Penal.
Police said the findings of an autopsy performed at the Forensic Science Centre were that he died from multiple gunshot wounds and investigators believe robbery was the motive behind his murder.
The father of two of Indian Walk, Moruga, worked for an audio-visual installation company in Port-of-Spain. Three days before his disappearance he had registered with TT RideShare to earn extra money to pay for his vehicle which he had bought three weeks earlier.
He last spoke to his mother on July 9 around 1.30 pm, and inquiries revealed that he had dropped off a customer in Penal. That night, around 8.30, $500 was withdrawn from his account via an ATM at a Quik Shoppe in San Fernando.
The following morning, through GPS, his vehicle was tracked to Valencia.
His brother, Ronande Charles, said his funeral would likely be held on Monday as they were awaiting the arrival of relatives from abroad. He has set up a GoFundMe account for Shakem’s children that had generated more than US$5490 from 88 donations last evening.
TT RideShare has over 100,000 users in Trinidad and Tobago.
Housend said that crime and mostly violence had been affecting their drivers, and while this was not the first incident, it was the first that had resulted in the death of a driver.
He added, “At the end of the day, everything comes down to individual choices. Ridesharing, in general, is often used as supplemental income. Most drivers don’t do a large number of trips; many have full-time jobs and might just do a trip on the way to work because they live far. These trips, whether to Port-of-Spain or the surrounding areas, are practical ways for people to make ends meet. The challenge arises when there are individuals who don’t want to work honestly, causing distress to others. This leaves ordinary citizens living in fear while just trying to support their families.”
TT RideShare is now in talks with a local security company called Air Support Tactical Security Limited. This company will offer GPS and recovery services for their drivers.
Housend said, “We also have an SOS feature for both drivers and riders that alerts someone who is available 24/7. Our 24/7 chat support allows drivers to report any discomfort during a trip. If a driver cancels a trip and informs us, we will immediately monitor the rider and the account for irregularities and make contact with drivers who may have interacted with them to investigate any shared suspicions.”
Housend said that the company was planning to host a town hall with all their drivers.
The TT RideShare chairman said that he visited the family of Charles, and it was very heartbreaking.
“On Saturday morning, I went down to the location. It’s one thing to hear and see, but to witness a body being taken out and a family grieving at that level is profoundly impactful. It highlights where we are as a country and society and how senseless a crime can be against someone who’s simply trying to earn an honest dollar,” he said.
TT RideShare has been assisting police in the investigation, and they have passed on sensitive information that they think could be of assistance.
—With reporting by Sascha Wilson
