BY FRANCIS JOSEPH
Two men were shot and killed by police at a house at Ashley Street, La Romaine, on Sunday morning. One of the men was identified as Nigel Mohammed, alias, “Poogie”.The killing of the two men brought to 22 the number of persons killed by police for 2026. The latest incident has sent the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) into top gear to investigate.
The drama unfolded between 4 am and 7:05 am when officers of the La Romaine Police Post, Home Invasion Team (HIT) and Southern Division Task Force, conducted an exercise targeting firearm-related offences, robberies and home invasions within the San Fernando Police District.Acting on intelligence, officers proceeded to a house at Ashley Street, off Pond Street, La Romaine, around 5:20 am. Upon entering the premises, officers encountered a man who was armed with a firearm. Despite repeated instructions for the man to drop the weapon, the man allegedly raised it in their direction. Officers then discharged their service firearms, striking the man.While at the premises, officers encountered a second man in a bedroom, who was also armed with a firearm. He was reportedly instructed several times to drop the weapon but allegedly pointed it in the direction of officers, who discharged their service firearms, striking him.Both men were taken to the San Fernando General Hospital, where they were subsequently pronounced dead. Crime Scene Investigators recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol containing 15 rounds of ammunition and a revolver containing five rounds of .38 ammunition from the scene.
Autopsies will be performed on the bodies on Monday at the Forensic Science Centre. Investigations are continuing.
Of the 22 police involved killings this year, one has reached the courts. But no police officer was charged. That was the shooting of Joshua Samaroo, 31, on January 20 in St Augustine. In that incident, three police officers opened fire on the vehicle Samaroo was driving. But it was his girlfriend, Kaia Sealy, who was in the front passenger seat who was charged with his death and other firearm related offences.
The other killings are still in their investigate stages.Some of those killed:
March 4 – David “Sourz” Boodoo was shot and killed by police at his home in Sangre Grande. His family is contesting the circumstances surrounding this shooting.
March 16 – Sharaz Samaroo was shot and killed by police following a home invasion in Valsayn, hours after he and three others attempted to rob a Valsayn home.
April 12 – Shakeel Smart died after being shot by police in Cascade.
April 17 – Romario Borneo, 29, was shot and killed by police in St Mary’s Village, Moruga.
April 26 – Shivnath Jogie, 24, was shot during a confrontation with police at his home at Corinth, San Fernando. He later died at hospital.
April 30 – Jaden Pierre, 26, was shot and killed by police in Tunapuna.
May 2 – Four Home Invaders were shot and killed by police following a robbery in Cunupia.
May 6 – One Home Invader was shot and killed by police in Marabella.
May 20 – Abdullah Joseph, 35, was fatally shot by police on premises at Cunupia.
May 21 – Another man was shot and killed by police following a report of a home invasion in Cunupia.
May 29 – Jaden Diaz, 20, of Lower Rio Grande, Matura, was shot and killed by Police.
