A suspected hit from behind the prisons walls may have been responsible for the killing of prisons superintendent David Millette.
The 50-year-old-officer, who had some 20 years service, was gunned down around 8.30 am as he entered his car which was parked in front his home at Cipriani Avenue, Second Caledonia.
Investigators said they were told by residents that shortly after Millette entered his car loud explosions were heard.
He was found slumped in the driver’s seat. The engine was still running and windshield wipers were on.
Millette was killed mere hours after three prisons officers were attacked by a knife-wielding inmate at the Maximum Security Prison on Sunday, resulting in prison officers describing the situation as “boiling point.”
And in light of the recent atttacks against prisons officers National Security Minister Edmund Dilllon, in an interview, said he was considering giving prisons officers permission to carry firearms.
He said he was concerned that officers of the protective services who serve the country were apparently under attack from criminal elements.
In an immediate release, the Law Association condemned Millette’s killing, describing it as an attack not only on the Prisons Service but the Judicial Service as well.
A statement issued by the association yesterday, not only called on a through investigation into the slaying but also demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice.
The association also urged the police to bring a satisfactory level of control over the crime scourge sweeping the country.
“The association has every confidence that the police will thoroughly investigate this matter and bring those responsible to justice,” it added.
As scores of police officers gathered at the hilly terrain processing the crime scene, residents gathered in small clusters.
Some spoke nonchalantly about the latest slaying in a community already beset by violent crimes.
Tension, however, momentarily rose when a young male suspect, with a blue jersey pulled over his head, was whisked away by police into a waiting jeep.
But as he was being lead away a handful of residents vociferously spoke on his behalf.
“What is dat one? He is an innocent youth man. Allyuh holding de people. He here liming with we whole morning,” one woman said, as others joined in the man’s defence.
Insp Roger Alexander quickly intervened to quell concerns, assuring residents that the police were simply doing their work.
Millette had no children. His wife who arrived on the scene around 10 am briefly stood at the side of the roadway, accompanied by four people.
She then got into a heavily-tinted SUV and sat in the back seat for an hour and a half before the driver drove off.
Death threats
As tears welled in her eyes David’s elderly mother, Phyllis, recalled fears expressed by her first-born.
She said her son, who was on a one-year vacation, had told her his name was on a purported list bearing the names of 100 prisons officers to be killed.
She said yesterday morning David was supposed to take her to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital to visit her husband who recently suffered a heart attack.
“But my son told me he was not feeling so good. He got wet and was feeling a little feverish. So from the hospital I went with the driver to see if I could get some feed for the fowls and while doing that my daughter from England called me.
“She told me something very serious happen to David home. I then call the gardener by me and that is when I find out... he tell me David dead,” the frail 71-year-old woman said.
Regarding a motive for her son’s death, Phyllis said he did not provide her with any particulars.
“He didn’t say anybody was threatening him but he did say his name was on a list ....on a list of a 100 prisons officers. He told me that before he went on holidays a few months ago,” Phyllis said.
She said her son, who was last assigned to the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution and the Maximum Security Prison, was supposed to return to work next July.
As tears flowed freely down her cheeks, Phyllis’ gnarled hands trembled as she described her son as loving, kind and always willing to assist.
He was very, very nice. If I call him to do anything he would do it,” Phyllis said.
Her younger son, Stevenson Jr, said while he was unaware of the details surrounding his brother’s death, he had confidence in the work of the police.
Officers under attack
Millette’s killing has come on the heels of three officers being stabbed at the Maximum Security Prison at Golden Grove, Arouca, on Sunday at 11.30 pm.
President of the Prisons Association, Cerron Richards, who was also present at the murder scene yesterday said he too also believed Millette’s killing was an organised hit from within the prisons’ walls.
“We suspect it could be something called from behind the prisons’ walls but again the information will be coming in as we go forward,” Richards said.
Describing Millette’s murder and that of other prisons officers along with numerous attacks as untenable, Richards called for a meeting with National Security Minister Edmund Dillon.
Prisons officers said the attack occurred during a routine search as a few cells were randomly searched.
Richards said during the search a switchblade was discovered.
“The inmates were reluctant to hand over the switchblade and as a result of that the officer was attacked. The officer summoned help and whatever ensued three officers were injured and had to be hospitalised... nothing critical but serious.
“And it is serious because of the nature of the incident,” Richards said.
The prisoner who allegedly attacked the officers is already facing a murder charge and is likely to be hauled before the courts to answer fresh charges.
It is understood that other items were reportedly found during the search including cigarettes, cellphone batteries and cellphones.
Flashback
Prisons officers killed or attacked this year
• July 17: Andel Primus, 27, of Bagaloo Trace, Enterprise, was shot multiple times and was thrown out of a vehicle in Red Hill, Morvant. Primus survived.
• July 19: Otis Johnson was shot moments after he left the Frederick Street Prison. Johnson was walking on Frederick Street when occupants of a car shot him in the back and abdomen. A passing ambulance took him to hospital. He succumbed to his wounds.
• July 29: Robert Seecharan was shot dead with his service firearm by a close female relative during a domestic dispute in Penal.
• Jun 16, 2014: Dominique Bernard, of Jack Street, Claxton Bay, was killed at the home of his girlfriend at Plaisance Park. His 23-year-old colleague surrendered to police two hours later.