The Trinidad and Tobago government has called on young people to turn away from a life of crime after five people were shot and killed during a shootout with police in the Laventille area, along the east-west corridor on Thursday night.
The police have not yet released the identity of those killed but said they had come under fire when they were confronted by the young men. The lawmen reportedly recovered two firearms at the scene.
In a statement, released late on Thursday night, the Office of the Prime Minister noted that “the loss of any citizen’s life, through violence, is particularly traumatic for any family and community where it occurs.”
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said that ‘this emotion is multiplied many fold when young men arm themselves and engage law enforcement officers. This misguided activity always has the potential to end in unspeakable tragedy for all involved, officers and civilians”.
He said that the news that fives lives were lost during a firefight with law enforcement officers “brings us to such a place.
“Once again I appeal to all our young men who see opportunity through the power of the illegal firearm, to think again and grasp the other opportunities which the country offers to all its citizens, rewards which are assured if we embrace our national watchwords of discipline, production and tolerance”.
Rowley said that there is “no good end to bad deeds, bad company and a life of crime.
“Our country deserves better but to accomplish that goal we all have to want it and commit to work towards it. Law enforcement cannot do it alone,” he added.
