A MAN who went into the home of a Laventille family yesterday morning, with the intention of robbing them, was instead chopped to death after a struggle ensued between him and the would-be victims.
Investigators, however, last evening refused to reveal the identities of anyone involved in the incident, saying that the investigation was one of a sensitive nature.
The Express understands that around 6.30 a.m. yesterday, the man, armed with a gun, went into the house along the Old St Joseph Road and held up the owner and his son.
The man and his son, police said, were able to overpower the bandit, who was said to be in his 20s, and chopped him several times before relieving him of the handgun. The suspect was later rushed to the Port of Spain General Hospital by officers, but died sometime around noon.
Up to late yesterday, the father and son were at the Besson Street Police Station giving statements to investigators. Police said they recovered a handgun at the scene and were not classifying the killing as a homicide.
The incident has occurred even as Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs warned that citizens should not take the law into their own hands when criminals attack their families and urged them to desist from using excessive force on people caught committing crimes.
His statement last month drew strong criticism from residents following an incident in Barrackpore where 53-year-old grandfather Shamshad Ali got into his car and ran over suspected bandit Keston Contrere, after he along with another man allegedly chopped and robbed Ali's family at their home.
Ali was detained for three days at the Barrackpore Police Station, causing outrage among residents in the area.
Contrere died from his injuries while at hospital, while the other man, Marlon Seuraj, who also struck by the vehicle and beaten by villagers, has since been charged with attempted murder and robbery.
Investigations into the latest incident are continuing.
. Were you one of those students who didn't get their SBAs?.. i hope not. I find that was real sickening people losing your work... :|. I happy for you, you gonna continue your studies?
