A love affair gone sour, is how a relative who identified himself as “David – a brother-in-law” summed up the murder-suicide of two police officers at Edinburgh 500, Chaguanas on Tuesday afternoon.
The two were identified as police officers Josette Marshall, 45, who was last employed at the Police Administration Building, Port of Spain, and her companion, Ag Cpl Dwight Skeete, 42. Skeete was attached to Court and Process Department in Port of Spain.
Reports indicate that around 2.25 pm on Tuesday, residents heard the screams of a woman coming from the house at the corner of Opal and Kestrel Boulevard.
[caption id="attachment_1035074" align="alignnone" width="642"] Josette Marshall -[/caption]
Shortly after they heard four loud explosions, which were later identified as gunshots, coming from the house.
Neighbours gathered at the home and called the police even as a 24-year-old relatives of Marshall alerted others that she had called him moments earlier and told him that she had killed Skeete and was going to take her own life.
First responders found Skeete’s body in a bedroom and Marshall’s in the corridor of Marshall's home. Both died at the scene.
ASP Persad of Homicide Region 3 told the Newsday he could not say at this time what caused the tragic outcome.
He said the firearm used in the incident was not police issued but was privately owned. He said police would have check the records to determine who was the owner.
Sorrow and weeping overwhelmed the community as neighbours, friends, colleagues, and family gathered, hugging, and comforting each other.
Those gathered were reluctant to speak to the media.
[caption id="attachment_1035084" align="alignnone" width="755"] Dwight Skeete -[/caption]
Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher expressed deep sadness upon hearing of the incident.
"Today, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is plunged into mourning at the brutal shooting involving two of our own. I wish to express the deep sadness that the TTPS experienced today following reports that two police officers were involved in a deadly shooting incident in what so far appears to be a murder-suicide."
Harewood-Christopher said Homicide bureau officers were continuing investigations and updates on the incident would be provided as the investigation proceeds and more information became available.
"We will extend the services of our Victim and Witness Support Unit to the affected families and colleagues. I extend my deepest condolences and support to the officers and their families, and to all their fellow officers in the TTPS."
The tragic loss spurred Police Social and Welfare Association (PSAWA) president Insp Gideon Dickson to call on his colleagues to trust the professionals and the support systems in the service and seek help.
In this month in which suicide prevention is commemorated, Dickson said the way they lost two serving members of the organisation, was both bizarre and unfortunate.
[caption id="attachment_1035083" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Police off
