Facebook Marketplace Robbery: TWO (2) Men Shot Dead By Police In Mount Hope; Third Wounded

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Police shot and killed two (2) men and wounded a third following an attempted Facebook Marketplace robbery in Mount Hope this afternoon (Friday 16th January, 2026). The deceased have been identified as Romel Telesford and Jabari Murrell, both of Small Street, Second Caledonia Road, Morvant. The third wounded suspect is also said to be from the same Morvant area.


According to reports, one of the suspects made prior arrangements with a prospective buyer, via the Facebook Marketplace, to sell him a Nissan Tiida for $40,000. However, the victim became suspicious about the transaction and notified the Police, which led to a sting operation.

Arrangements were made to meet the seller near the Mount Hope/Mount Lambert Community Centre at Community Drive, and Officers of the North Central Division, led by ASP Sunil Barath, in collaboration with a specialist unit, took up strategic positions in the area. 

During the meet-up, four (4) men alighted from a white Nissan Tiida, reportedly pointed guns at the victims, who were actually Police Officers, and announced a robbery. Police said the suspects discharged their firearms in their direction, and Officers responded, in keeping with the Use of Force policy, and returned fire.

As a result of the incident, three (3) male suspects sustained gunshot injuries. One (1) male suspect was arrested at the scene, while another suspect escaped. The injured persons were conveyed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) in Mount Hope for medical treatment, where two (2) of the suspects were pronounced dead on arrival. The third suspect is receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained.

Two (2) firearms were recovered at the scene. 

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said it is “urging members of the public to exercise caution when conducting online marketplace transactions and to desist from engaging in suspicious or unsafe Facebook Marketplace arrangements, particularly those involving isolated locations or irregular payment and delivery requests. Members of the public are encouraged to prioritize their safety at all times and to report suspicious activity to the Police.”

Enquiries into the matter are continuing.

More on this as it becomes available. 

[Source: Ian Alleyne]

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