A Sangre Grande man, wanted in connection with several serious crimes in east Trinidad, was killed in a shootout with police on Tuesday. According to reports, around 5 pm members of the Sangre Grande Crime Patrol Unit were on patrol along Road Five, North Eastern Settlement, Sangre Grande, when they saw the suspect standing at the side of the road. When the police stopped their car and got out the suspect ran away through a nearby forested area.
The police ran after him and 15 minutes later he was spotted hiding behind a tree. Police said he drew a gun and began shooting at them and they returned fire. The man, who was later identified as Keldeon Charles, was shot several times in his chest and abdomen. He was disarmed and taken to the Sangre Grande District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
His body was taken to the Forensic Science Centre, St James, where an autopsy was initially scheduled to be performed yesterday. However, his relatives did not turn up to identify his body and as such the procedure was postponed to today. Homicide detectives said Charles had a lengthy criminal record for shooting, robbery and gun possession offences. He was wanted in connection with a series of shootings in the same community where he was killed.
Investigations are continuing.