Couva robbery accused killed in police-involved shooting

Even as the police probe Thursday afternoon’s fatal police-involved shooting in Couva and searched for the other suspect, he remained at large up to Friday afternoon.

Newsday learnt that the residents were not co-operating with the police investigators and did not share any information about the suspect believed to be from the area.

The deceased, Josiah “Zulu” Vesprey, 20, died on arrival at the Couva district health facility. The police said he had several convictions and pending matters for drugs and gun-related offences in the Central Division. In 2019, he was charged with larceny, kidnapping and robbery, which stemmed from the same incident.

The shooting happened at around 1.50 pm on Thursday near his home. Southern Division police were on an anti-crime exercise along Railway Road, Couva, when they stopped and got out of an unmarked vehicle.

Vesprey and another man were under a tent on the roadside and ran in different directions.

Police reports said Vesprey began shooting at the officers. The police returned fire, hitting Vesprey while the other person fled. Police in a marked vehicle also responded.

The police recovered a Glock pistol with a magazine and several rounds of ammunition.

Vesprey was taken to Couva district health facility, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The shooting led to a violent uproar, with residents cursing and gesturing at the police.

Videos circulating on social media show angry residents surrounding both vehicles. The officers returned to the vehicles, and the drivers made U-turns.

As they were driving out of the street, residents threw debris, including stones, garbage bins, chairs and branches, on the road, temporarily blocking them from leaving.

The police got out of the vehicles and removed the debris. But the residents threw them back into the street. The police eventually managed to pass. Investigations are ongoing.