Suspected bandit killed by off duty officer in Princes Town

Police are investigating the death of a suspected bandit who was shot and killed on Saturday night by an off duty Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) officer during an alleged robbery attempt at a Princes Town bar.

Initial police reports say the 29-year-old officer was in the carpark of Stop and Go Bar on #2 Cemetery Street Lothian’s Road, Princes Town, on Saturday night with his wife who is also a police officer.

The officer claimed two assailants in black ski masks approached them and announced a robbery with one assailant drawing a firearm.

Fearful for his safety, and that of others at the bar, the officer in turn drew his licensed firearm and shot the armed assistant four times.

The wounded assailant attempted to flee but fell to the ground and died a short distance away. The next assailant escaped on foot along Cemetery Street.

After the shooting, EHS personnel and police were contacted.

Around 10.40 pm, three officers from the Princes Town Police Station who were on patrol in the area responded.

A district medical officer pronounced the assailant dead a short while after and his body was carried to the San Fernando Mortuary.

The firearms of the deceased assailant and the officer were seized. The officer’s firearm users’ license and ammunition was also seized by Princes Town CID officers for investigative purposes.

There is no surveillance footage of the incident and investigations are continuing.