[UPDATED] More police patrols for capital city after 4 shot near promenade

PORT OF SPAIN Police Division head Snr Supt Raymond Thom said one life lost is one too many, regardless of the circumstances, as he addressed the shooting in the capital that claimed the life of one man and injured three others on November 29.

Thom described the resources assigned to maintain a safe environment in the capital as "tremendous" and said from Monday (December 2), additional resources would be deployed. These resources will come from utilising administrative staff to assist with patrols, as the police plan to increase visibility during the Christmas season.

The shooting occurred on Independence Square, near the popular fast food outlet Royal Castle, at around 8.24 pm.

Fifty-two-year-old Aziz White was killed, while Carlton Balfour, 59, Curtis Frederick, 56, and Kimroy Edmundson, 53, were injured. Videos circulating on social media showed police officers cordoning off the scene as a crowd of onlookers gathered.

The Inter-Agency Task Force and the Port of Spain Task Force are investigating the incident. No further details have been released.

Speaking with Newsday via phone on November 30, Thom said the administrative police staff assisting with patrols will help maintain a high-visibility police presence. He suggested the shooting appeared to be a personal matter, lamenting that the innocent bystander was killed/injured.

Thom emphasised the police are committed to ensuring public safety throughout the season, especially with the influx of visitors during the cruise ship season.
“We have increased patrols to ensure that people can go about their business without fear of crime, robbery, or being shot.”

On October 9, Deputy Mayor Abena Hartley, speaking to the media on the Brian Lara Promenade, said safety and security are top priorities during the cruise ship season. The season officially began on October 8 with the arrival of the Seabourn Venture from Seabourn Cruise Line.

Hartley said the city corporation had learnt valuable lessons from last year and would be increasing foot patrols throughout the city during the season, which runs from October to April 2025.

Supt Glen Charles, head of the corporation's municipal police, said then there would be more visible police presence in the capital. He said their goal is to ensure both visitors and residents feel safe as they move through the capital.

Charles said city police had collaborated closely with various agencies, particularly the police service, to implement a comprehensive and stringent security plan. The initiative, he said, is designed to guarantee the safety and security of all.

This is not the first time this year gunmen opened fire in the capital, leaving people dead and several others injured across the city.

On March 2, a shooting on Charlotte Street left one man dead and a soldier wounded.
Mosi Ross, also known as "Buss Up" of Duncan Street, Port of Spain, was fatally shot near East Side Plaza around 9.50 pm.

Officers responding to the scene found his lifeless body and soldier Akido Simpson with a gunshot wound to his right leg. Simpson was taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.

In July 14, gunmen opened fire on Independence Square, killing one person and wounding another.

The shooting occurred around 8.38 pm near the corner of Charlotte Street and South Quay.

This story was originally published with the title "1 dead, 3 wounded in Port of Spain shooting" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

A shooting on Independence Square in Port of Spain on November 29, has left one man dead and three others wounded.

The incident occurred around 8.24 pm near Royal Castle outlet. The dead man has been identified as 52-year-old Aziz White. The injured are Carlton Balfour, 59, Curtis Frederick, 56, and Kimroy Edmundson, 53.

Videos circulating on social media after the shooting show police officers cordoning off the scene as a crowd of onlookers gathered.

The Inter-Agency Task Force and Port of Spain Task Force are investigating the incident.

No further details have been released.