Gang warfare among rival groups in the Laventille area is suspected to be the motive behind last night’s murder of two teenagers who had escaped from the custody of the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago on March 19th, 2021.
This was confirmed today by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ag), Investigations and Intelligence, Mc Donald Jacob, as Homicide Bureau officers intensify their investigations into the killings. Mr Jacob said investigators have received vital information and that the probe is now at a sensitive stage.
Around 7:10pm on Sunday 28th March 2021, police officers responded to a report of several loud explosions heard in the vicinity of Mc Shine Lands, Laventille, Port-of-Spain. On arrival, the police officers met an informant who pointed out an abandoned house. The police officers made checks and discovered the bodies of two young men lying motionless on a rooftop, which was the same level as the roadway. They were later identified as Antoine Francois and Semion Daniel, both 15 years old, who had escaped from a Children’s Authority Support Centre on Friday 19th March, 2021.
The District Medical Officer visited the scene, viewed the bodies, and ordered the removal pending post mortem examinations at the Forensic Science Centre.
Crime Scene Personnel processed the scene and recovered items of evidential value.
Investigators revealed that Antoine Francois and Semion Daniel were in company with other persons at Mc Shine Lands, Laventille, when they were accosted by two armed men, who wore clothing resembling that of the police with the word ‘POLICE’ marked on the back. The young persons tried to escape, but the assailants pursued Francois and Daniel, following which several loud explosions were heard.
Two brothers, who were present, were shot and wounded, and taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital for treatment. A third escapee from Children’s Authority Support Centre, who was also in the group, was not injured and was taken into protective custody.
Enquiries are continuing.
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