Senior Reporter
rhondor.dowlat@guardian.co.tt
Although colleagues and family members declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the murder of 61-year-old security officer Charmie Soogrim on the compound of the Massy Stores, Brentwood, Chaguanas, on Thursday night, he was yesterday remembered for his “warm and friendly nature.”
Soogrim, of LP 107, Edinburgh Village, was found dead in the supermarket’s car park around 8.25 pm. A janitor employed with Massy Stores told police she was walking towards the back of the building to throw out the garbage when she saw Soogrim lying on the ground motionless in an open area.
Police were later told that at around 8.05 pm, Soogrim, who was employed with Transit Protection Security, went on foot patrol around the compound, which is the common practice around closing time. An employee of the supermarket reported hearing gunshots but Soogrim’s colleague said he didn’t hear anything.
Crime scene investigators recovered three spent 9 mm shell casings and a Samsung cell phone at the scene.
A relative of the slain security officer would only say that he had been employed with the company for less than a year.
Colleagues at the security firm declined to comment because of the ongoing police investigation and referred all questions to Candice Ali, of Massy Stores’ headquarters.
Ali said Soogrim was a former Massy Stores employee who “dedicated 27 years of his life to the company, working at various locations before his retirement.”
“He subsequently joined Transit Protection Services and served as a security officer at the Brentwood location for the past year,” she added.
Ali said Soogrim’s “warm and friendly nature endeared him to both our staff and customers, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and camaraderie” and she assured that Massy Stores has been providing essential support to team members.
“We deeply regret the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Mr Soogrim’s passing, which are currently under investigation by the police,” she said.
“On behalf of Massy Stores, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they navigate through the immense loss of their loved one.”