The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is deeply saddened by the tragic incident which led to the death of PC No. 19613 Ravindra Harrinarine.
In a statement, the TTPS said PC Harrinarine, who was last attached to the Traffic Branch, was fatally shot while standing next to his vehicle, which was parked along Bassie Street, Spring Village, Valsayn, in the company of an unidentified female at approximately 9:15 pm last night.
It said preliminary information indicates that three armed assailants approached the vehicle and opened fire.
PC Harrinarine returned fire; however, he sustained fatal injuries.
The full circumstances surrounding the death of PC Harrinarine are being investigated and a clear motive is still unknown.
" However, based on the information available to us at this time, there is nothing to indicate that this incident is linked to PC Harrinarine’s role as a police officer," the TTPS said.
Officers of the Homicide Bureau are continuing to actively investigate this incident.
According to the statement, Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher said, "The TTPS mourns the passing of PC Harrinarine, and on behalf of the organization, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. We commit to pursuing justice in this matter."
She said the TTPS is very engaged in addressing the high rate of homicides experienced so far in January 2024.
" This is of major concern to us and we have noted the public’s appeals to the police to do something. We have implemented stringent measures to bring an immediate end to this escalation of violent crime. Our analysis shows that most of the murders committed have been either gang or drug-related. As a result, we have been actively targeting gang leaders and their members frontally, and I give the assurance that we will continue to do so until we achieve an end to these senseless killings," she said.
The Top Cop continued to appeal to the members of the public, ‘If you see something, say something’.
She said anyone with information related to any incident or criminal activity is encouraged to come forward and assist law enforcement in ensuring the safety of all our communities.