Cop in Point Fortin killing of soldier released

The policeman detained after last Friday’s shooting death of 43-year-old Lance Corporal Keverne Daffort Miller has been released pending further investigations.

Newsday learnt that the 27-year-old constable was allowed to go home on Sunday after investigators interviewed him and several other eyewitnesses. He works with the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB).

Police sources said, shortly after the shooting at Miller’s parents' home at Reservoir Hill in Point Fortin, police had seized two guns – one legal and the other illegal.

An autopsy was expected to be done on Monday at the Forensic Sciences Centre in St James.

Miller, a father of five – including a policeman, lived at Lake View in Point Fortin.

On Thursday last week, Miller’s son had a birthday celebration which continued into Friday morning at the family’s home at Reservoir Hill.

Miller was not at the event. Relatives said shortly after 2 am on Friday, someone called him to get the group out of the yard after a commotion involving pepper spray.

Miller’s father, Daffort Miller, 73, said he arrived and ordered the group to leave. He turned around, and one of the guests – the policeman, opened fire. The soldier died shortly after at the Point Fortin area hospital

However, police gave a different account of what happened saying, Miller first came and warned the group to leave. He left and returned a short time later with a gun. The GEB officer became fearful for his life and the lives of others and shot Miller.

Contacted for comment on Monday, Daffort ­– a father of four, said he was unaware that the officer was released.

“We are waiting to hear what the police have to say. They did not tell us anything. The autopsy was supposed to be today, but I do not know if it was done,” Daffort said by phone.