Joshua Samaroo Killing: Law Association Expresses ‘Deep Concern’ Over Police Commissioner Statements

By —

The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) said it “wishes to express its deep concern over statements recently attributed to the Commissioner of Police (COP) regarding the reasons for his decision not to place on suspension, those Police Officers who were involved in a shooting which resulted in the death of one individual, and the maiming of another, following a Police chase.”

Joshua Samaroo, 31, and his common-law wife, Kaia Sealy, 24, were both shot by Police Officers inside their vehicle on Tuesday 20th January, 2026, following a high-speed chase from Maloney. Samaroo succumbed to his injuries, while Sealy remains hospitalized in a paralyzed state.

In a Media Release on Wednesday (28th January, 2026), LATT said, “The COP is reported to have said that he reviewed footage circulating on social media and that having reviewed such footage, he saw nothing which suggested that placing the Police Officers involved in the said shooting on suspension was warranted. The LATT cannot say which footage the COP reviewed. It can say, however, that the footage which it viewed appeared to show Police Officers opening fire on the occupants of a vehicle which appeared to have crashed following a Police chase. One of the occupants of the vehicle appeared to be attempting to surrender. Neither of the occupants appeared to be engaging in an exchange of gunfire with the said Police Officers.”

LATT added, “The criminal law in operation in Trinidad and Tobago applies equally to law enforcement and to civilians. The use of deadly force may give rise to a defence of self-defence, if such force is proportionate and justified given the existing threat to personal safety. Self-defence is a complete defence to the offence of murder.”

The Media Release concluded by saying, “The COP did reportedly advert, in a previous statement, to an exchange of gunfire between Police Officers and the occupants of a vehicle. LATT has not seen footage of such an exchange, which could raise a defence of provocation, a partial defence to the offence of murder, which could reduce a conviction for murder to manslaughter. Self-defence, however, does not avail any individual who engages in retaliation against individuals, arising from action previously taken, if the threat to personal safety created by such action no longer persists.”

More on this as it becomes available.

Follow our WhatsApp Channel or Facebook Messenger Channel to receive alerts as soon as we publish our articles, including breaking news.

We are a small operation. If you’ve found our articles to be informative, please consider supporting us via PayPal or buying us a coffee. Your contribution is incredibly appreciated and goes a long way. Simply sharing our articles also helps us.

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Right Now On Youthere1 News

62-Year-Old Princes Town Man Charged With Manslaughter of Dentist

By —
UPDATE (09/09/26): CCTV footage has emerged of the altercation on 1st January, 2026 at the car park of a supermarket in Princes Town, which resulted in the death of Dr. Gerard Roopnarine several months later. The footage shows Dr. Roopnarine exiting his car along with a male passenger, before confronting another driver seated in a van (later identified as Sean Kewley, 62), who was seemingly blocking the path of Dr. Roopnarine’s vehicle as he attempted to reverse out of his parking spot. Moments later, after words were exchanged, Dr. Roopnarine is seen striking the driver through his open window. The driver then unbuckled his seatbelt, alighted from the van and delivered a powerful punch, instantly knocking out Dr. Roopnarine, who then collapsed to the ground. UPDATE (08/09/26): The University of the West Indies (UWI) School of Dentistry is mourning the death of Dr. Roopnarine, a former student and part-time lecturer. The school described Roopnarine in a statement as a genuine and d...
Read more

Prime Minister RESPONDS To Several Acts of Violence Over Long Independence Day Weekend

By —
Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, has responded to several acts of violence which were recorded and shared across social media over the long Independence Day weekend. In a Facebook post a short while ago this evening (Tuesday 1st September, 2026), Mrs. Persad-Bissessar said, “Trinidad and Tobago, the irresponsible behaviour seen in the video clip [ see below ] occurred over the Independence weekend. The majority of citizens are decent, law-abiding people who should not have to live in a lawless dump because of criminals and belligerent individuals.” She added that eighty-five (85) murders have occurred this year “because of altercations that were totally avoidable. We cannot keep blaming the TTPS, Judiciary, the British Empire, and every other entity for violence and crime when supposedly normal persons are behaving like this in public.” The Prime Minister’s statement concluded by saying, “If you can’t behave properly in public, please stay home so decent, ...
Read more

22-Year-Old Man Shot Dead In Morvant — Face Disfigured In Hail of Bullets

By —
A man is dead following a brutal shooting incident in Morvant early this morning (Tuesday 8th September, 2026). The deceased has been identified as 22-year-old Tylan Hinkson, aka “Papa,”of Redwood Street, Morvant. His face was said to have been disfigured in a hail of bullets from a high-powered weapon. According to reports, Hinkson was ambushed and shot near Second Caledonia Road, in the vicinity of Juman, during the early morning hours. Police and Emergency Health Services were notified and responded to the scene. Upon arrival, Officers found Hinkson lying on the roadway with multiple gunshot wounds about the body, including severe injuries to his face, hands and legs. A District Medical Officer (DMO) was summoned, who pronounced Hinkson dead at the scene. Police have not yet established a motive for this murder. Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting. More on this as it becomes available.  [Source: Ian Alleyne ]
Read more

19-Year-Old Driver Dies In Cocorite Crash — Passenger Hospitalized

By —
A man is dead and another listed in serious condition at Hospital following a horrific road traffic accident in Cocorite on Wednesday night (9th September, 2026). The deceased has been identified as 19-year-old Binyameen Rahaman of Warren Road, Cunupia. According to reports, Rahaman was driving a white Nissan AD wagon, heading West along the Western Main Road with a passenger later identified as 21-year-old Faraaz Hosein of Hosein Drive, St. Lucien Road, Diego Martin. However, upon reaching the vicinity of Peake Trading Limited, Rahaman reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which entered the compound and struck a utility pole and part of the fencing, around 10:30 PM. The high impact caused extensive damage to the front and passenger compartments of the vehicle and also displaced the pole. Police and Emergency Health Services were notified and responded to the scene. A District Medical Officer (DMO) was summoned, who pronounced Rahaman dead and ordered the body removed, pending a post...
Read more

Missing Elderly Man Found Dead Under Suitcases At House In Curepe — Police Investigating

By —
The body of a missing pensioner was found under large suitcases at a house in Curepe on Monday afternoon (7th September, 2026). The deceased has been identified as 75-year-old Chunilal Bandoo of Mohammed Lane, Mc Inroy Street, Curepe. He was the father of a daughter, who resides in the United States. According to reports, Bandoo was last seen near his home on Saturday (5th September, 2026) while liming with friends for several hours. However, he never returned home afterwards. His relatives subsequently notified Police and filed a missing person’s report. Members of the Hunters Search and Rescue Team (HSRT), led by Captain Vallence Rambharat, began searching for Bandoo the following evening, approximately 6:00 PM on Sunday (6th September, 2026), joined by Officers from the St. Joseph Police Station, supervised by Supt. Jaikaran and led by Cpl. Goonraj and Cpl. Dill. The search continued throughout the night and into Monday morning, until Bandoo’s body was eventually found in a storeroo...
Read more

36-Year-Old Carapichaima Man Shot Dead By Police — Mother, Brother Detained; Guns Seized

By —
A man wanted for extortion is dead following a Police-involved shooting incident in Carapichaima early Thursday morning (10th September, 2026). The deceased has been identified as 36-year-old Riyad Sean Ali of Orangefield Settlement, Carapichaima. His elderly mother and brother were reportedly detained and firearms seized at the scene. According to reports, Officers of the Anti-Extortion Unit (AEU) were responding to an alleged report of extortion, when they visited a property located at Palm Avenue, Orange Field Settlement, Waterloo Road, Carapichaima, in search of Ali, around 4:00 AM. However, upon entering the premises, a confrontation developed between the AEU Officers and the suspect, which resulted in an exchange of gunfire. Ali was reportedly struck during the incident and conveyed to the Chaguanas Health Centre on Ramsaran Street, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police reportedly seized a firearm at the scene and detained two (2) people allegedly connected to Ali —his ...
Read more

NO Electricity On Friday In Parts of Diego Martin, St. Augustine, El Socorro, Sangre Grande, Caroni, Gran Couva, Debe, Guayaguayare

By —
The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is advising customers that planned maintenance work will affect several areas of Diego Martin, St. Augustine, El Socorro, Sangre Grande, Caroni, Gran Couva, Debe and Guayaguayare on Friday (18th September, 2026). This may result in loss of electricity between the hours of works.  According to T&TEC, the affected areas are as follows:  DIEGO MARTIN (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) Along Blue Range Avenue, Hillrise Road, Hillock Place, Waterbridge Road and all associated side streets. ST. AUGUSTINE (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) Between LP #36 to LP #48 Santa Marganta Circular up to LP #53, corner of Bates Terrace and Bates Avenue. EL SOCORRO (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) Todd Street, Manraj Drive, Bhudai Lane and all associated side streets. SANGRE GRANDE (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) Jawarsingh Road, Balata Hill Road, Sochan Gardens, Valsaquez Road, La Tosca Land Settlement Road, Nestor Village, Los Armadillos, La Pastora Road, Jubilee Street, Upper Gua...
Read more

BODY of Woman Found Inside Abandoned Security Booth In San Fernando — Police Investigating

By —
The decomposing body of a woman was found inside an abandoned security booth on the compound of an old panyard in San Fernando on Wednesday morning (16th September, 2026). While unconfirmed, the deceased is believed to be Marcia Thomas Singh, who residents said appeared to be in her 60s. She had been apparently residing in the security booth for some time. According to the Hunters Search and Rescue Team (HSRT), led by Captain Vallence Rambharat, five (5) of its members were driving along Broadway, San Fernando, when they detected a foul stench, around 9:35 AM. Upon stopping their vehicle and investigating, they observed a decomposing body on a mattress inside a small wooden security booth on the abandoned Ministry of Works compound, near to Hatters Panyard. Inside the booth was a complete living quarters. The door was locked from the inside and had to be broken in order to gain entry. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) was subsequently contacted and responded to the scene. O...
Read more

Missing: 32-Year-Old Mother And Her 4-Year-Old Son — Last Seen On 24th August, 2026

By —
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is seeking the urgent assistance of the public to find a missing mother and her infant son. In a Media Release on Wednesday (9th September, 2026), the TTPS said 32-year-old Valani Hema Baboolal and 4-year-old Ajay Lutchmansingh, of Chaguanas, were last seen on 24th August, 2026, and were reported missing at the Chaguanas Police Station on Tuesday (8th September, 2026). Valani is of East Indian descent, approximately five (5) feet tall, slim built and light brown in complexion. She was last seen wearing a red blouse and a pair of blue jeans. Her son, Ajay, is of East Indian decent, slim built and light brown in complexion. Have you seen them? ( Click/Tap Image To Enlarge ) Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call the Chaguanas Police Station at 665-5271, or 800-TIPS (800-8477), or contact the Police at 555, 999, 911, or call any Police Station. Please share quickly. Let us get Valani and Ajay home today.
Read more

21-Year-Old Man Shot Dead In Morvant — Fourth Killing Since Tuesday

By —
A man is dead following a shooting incident in Morvant early Thursday morning (10th September, 2026) — bringing the number of people killed in Morvant since Tuesday (8th September, 2026) to four (4). The latest victim has been identified as 21-year-old Nathaniel Lewis of Second Caledonia. According to reports, Lewis was at home when gunmen stormed the house and opened fire, around 5:00 AM. He was struck multiple times about the body. Police and Emergency Health Services were notified and responded. However, Lewis succumbed to his injuries at the scene. A day earlier, on Wednesday morning (9th September, 2026), Police found the body of 57-year-old Clarence Thompson in a bushy area behind his home, located at Crichlow Trace, Chinapoo, after residents heard several loud explosions the previous night, around 10:00 PM. On Tuesday night (8th September, 2026), the body of 62-year-old Steve Griffith was discovered along a track in Second Caledonia. Earlier that same day, 22-year-old Tylan Hi...
Read more