Homicide detectives are investigating the murder of a 33-year-old firefighter from Chaguanas. According to reports, Alcole Charles, of Flemming Street, Longdenville, was found by his younger brother Tekle at a liming spot near their home hours after he had been killed.
Tekle told police that he returned home from work around 10 am on Saturday and noticed his brother was not at home. He said he went searching near a neighbour’s auto garage, where Charles would often lime with friends, and found his bloodied body next to a car at the side of the road. Charles had a large wound on the right side of his head and his left hand was partially severed.
Charles was pronounced dead on the scene by District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr Ravi Kawal.
Police could say what caused the fatal head wound, but believe the wound to the hand was a defensive injury sustained attempting to evade an attacker. Charles is believed to have been killed at least six hours before his body was found, police said. An autopsy will be performed on his body at the Forensic Science Centre in St James today.
Police had not determined a motive for Charles’ killing up to late yesterday. Detectives of the Region Three Homicide Bureau are continuing investigations.
In an unrelated matter, Central Division police seized three illegal guns during an anti-crime exercise between Friday night and Saturday morning. The exercise, which was coordinated by Senior Supt Jayson Forde and Supt Kenny Mc Intyre, focused on drug blocks and the homes of gang members in Couva, Carapichaima and Enterprise.
Police seized a Luger 9 mm pistol, a Maverick 12-gauge shotgun, a Taurus .357 Magnum revolver and 15 rounds of ammunition after carrying out searches at three homes in Enterprise, with three suspected gang members being arrested.
Three others from Carapichaima were also arrested in connection with recent shootings in the division and nine others were arrested at various locations for outstanding warrants and marijuana possession. Those who were arrested will appear in the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court today.