One man is dead following a confrontation with an off-duty police officer in La Horquetta on Monday afternoon. The deceased has been identified as Teesfa Wright. According to reports, shortly after 1 p.m., the officer was at a house in Phase 4, La Horquetta, when he was confronted by Wright, who was holding a firearm. The officer was told to hand over his cash and valuables. However, the officer instead reached for his licensed firearm which he was carrying on his person.

Before Wright could react, the officer drew his weapon and shot the assailant several times to his lower body. Wright dropped the weapon and fell to the floor. The officer called for paramedics and the injured man was taken to Arima District Hospital, where he died shortly after arrival.

A firearm and a mask were recovered by crime scene investigators. They are expected to be sent for ballistic testing.  Wright, police said, was well known to officers, having been linked to several robbery offences in the past. An autopsy is expected to take place tomorrow at the Forensic Science Centre in St James.(Trinidad Express)…[+]