The Police Service is confirming that a man wanted for various firearm-related offences was shot and killed by police after he reportedly pointed a gun at officers who were executing a search warrant at his home today, Sunday 24th January 2021.
According to official police reports, around 3 am today, a party of officers from the North Eastern Division Task Force proceeded to the home of SHAKEEL JAMEEL CHARLES, located at Blackford Street Central Village, Santa Cruz, to execute a search warrant for arms and ammunition.
Police say Charles is a known offender with a history of violence and had 11 charges for narcotics and firearm-related offences. There also was a warrant for his arrest for other firearm-related offences.
On arriving at the location, two officers reportedly proceeded to the rear of the premises to the area occupied by Charles.
Upon hearing a noise at the door, the suspect was seen near a toilet area holding a firearm in his right hand. The officers reportedly identified themselves as police officers and ordered the suspect to drop the gun. Charles is said to have pointed the gun in the direction of the officers, who on seeing the imminent threat to life, and in keeping with the TTPS use of force policy, discharged four rounds of nine-millimetre ammunition from a service PM5 causing injury to the suspect.
Charles was then taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The officers took possession of the suspect’s gun, which upon examination turned out to be a Glock pistol fitted with a magazine and 16 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber.
The TTPS confirms that the scene was processed and photographed by officers of the Crime Scene Unit.
ASP Pariman is continuing enquiries.