Relatives of man killed in Chancellor shootout want answers

Relatives of one of two men shot dead by an off-duty police officer on Lady Chancellor Hill on Wednesday night are disputing the official account of the incident.

Police said the officer was walking on the hill when he saw a man get out of a car that was parked nearby.

The officer told police the man pointed a gun at him and fired a shot, before he took out his licensed gun and shot back at the gunman, who ran away.

Two men identified as Franklyn De Freitas, 35 and Jahmeal Phillip, 22, died at the scene.

A third man was arrested at the Port of Spain General Hospital when he tried to get treatment for a gunshot wound.

Speaking with Newsday at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, on Friday, a relative who asked not to be named said the family was not convinced the police report was accurate and called on them to release the actual details of the shooting.

"I want the authorities to come out and tell us the truth, it's better for them to do that than just give us a story that doesn't make sense.

"If these guys did wrong, the police should come right out and say that because the story that was given isn't convincing."

The autopsies on De Freitas and Phillip are expected to be done on Monday.

Police said the third suspect who is from East Dry River, Port of Spain, was discharged from the hospital on Thursday afternoon and was taken to the Besson Street police station and was expected to be interviewed.

Newsday understands the man had previous charges for the possession of marijuana.

Besson Street CID are continuing enquiries.