A reformed thief turned security guard was killed by police early yesterday, in circumstances that left his brother questioning whether the police followed proper protocol.
According to police, Gary Rogers, 29, was being taken by Constables Hosein and Hercules to get gas for his vehicle, after it stalled along the Caroni Savannah Road around 1.30 am yesterday.
While in the vehicle, police said they smelled alcohol and told him about it, noting he was about to drive. It was then Rogers is said to have attacked the driver, PC Hercules, and was shot dead by PC Hosein. The attack caused Hercules to lose control of the vehicle, which swerved off the road and crashed. The officers escaped with minor injuries
Speaking to the T&T Guardian outside a chicken farm at Governor Road, Las Lomas, the victim’s brother Glen said police claimed his brother was placed in the police vehicle without handcuffs and he stabbed an officer, leading to him being shot six times.
“Nobody not arresting anybody without handcuffs. If he in the back of the Xtrail you not putting him just so. This is a case of a set up thing. They will not investigate that because he have a record,” Rogers said.
Rogers said his brother, who was released from prison two years ago after serving larceny charges, was the second sibling shot dead. Their other brother, prison officer Andy Rogers, was shot to death in Malabar in 2013.
But he said Gary was now changing his life and was working at the chicken farm and as a security guard at a Kelly Village casino. He was also rearing ducks to begin his own farming career.
His former bosses at the chicken farm described him as a diligent worker who was always punctual and respectful.
One woman said when Rogers first started he would work the entire day but then changed to shifts when he got the security job.
In a telephone interview yesterday, Police Social and Welfare Association president, Insp Michael Seales, said Rogers was not under arrest so there was no need for him to be handcuffed.
He said the officers did not break any protocol while transporting him as they were being “good Samaritans.”