Investigators from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) are probing the circumstances which led to the death of a Chinese national, during an attempted robbery in Barataria, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
An official statement from the TTPS indicates that six Trinidadians (including two women) and two Venezuelans were caught red-handed by police, attempting to rob the owner and occupants of a supermarket in Barataria, this morning.
The TTPS release says the quick response by officers of the North Eastern Division Task Force, Barataria, and Morvant Police Stations, prevented the suspects from escaping from the Happiness Supermarket, corner Eastern Main Road, and Sixth Avenue, Barataria.
Reports are that around 4:00 am, six men and two women—armed with knives and cutlasses—entered the supermarket. They proceeded to the upper floor of the building where the owner and eight employees, all Chinese nationals, were asleep.
The suspects attempted to rob the occupants, but a struggle ensued. During the struggle, several persons were stabbed and chopped.
A report was made to the police who responded within minutes and caught the eight suspects red-handed.
At the scene, police officers found several persons suffering from injuries. One Chinese national reportedly had suffered serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he died.
Some of the suspects also were injured in the melee and had to be treated at hospital.
Nothing was stolen from the supermarket.
The TTPS says the local suspects live at Morvant, Laventille, and Belmont.
Police also are checking the legal status of the two Venezuelans.
Enquires are ongoing and investigators are focusing on murder and attempted robbery.
