Another prison officer killed

Less than one month after the murder of prison officer Richard Sandy, another prison officer was gunned down outside his home in Sea Trace, Bagatelle in Diego Martin.

At about 7.25 pm on Thursday, Glenford Gardener, 44, was walking on the road outside his home when a white Toyota Corolla pulled up alongside him and the occupants opened fire hitting him several times. Residents reportedly heard the sounds of gunfire and found Gardener lying motionless on his back. Members of the Homicide Bureau and the Western Division visited the scene. A motive has not yet been established for the killing.

There is a theory, however, that Gardener may have been killed because of a search which happened at the Port of Spain Remand Facility resulting in the seizure of several smart phones and weapons.

Gardener worked at the Carrera Island prison and would often ferry officers to and from the island. Yesterday several of Gardener’s colleagues took to social media to express their outrage and sadness after learning of his death. One officer described him as hardworking and selfless and someone who maintained good relations with all his subordinates. He was a prison officer for 15 years.

Gardener’s murder has pushed the number of prison officers killed to 17 over a 15-year period. In an unrelated incident, at about 9 am yesterday, a prison officer and his girlfriend were driving through Cocorite when they were caught in the crossfire of two rival gangs. The back of the vehicle was shot, but both escaped unharmed. A report was made at the St James police station, but police do not believe either the officer or his girlfriend were being targeted.