By Gyasi Gonzales

Copyright trinidadexpress

A man identified as Anderson “Elmo” Rodriguez, a known priority offender from Picton Road, Laventille, was shot and killed by police early this morning during an anti-crime operation in St Paul Street, east Port of Spain.

According to a police report, around 4:30 a.m., officers attached to the Inter Agency Task Force intercepted a suspicious vehicle with three occupants. As officers attempted to approach and question the men, one of the suspects allegedly pointed a firearm at police and opened fire.

The officers, along with accompanying soldiers, reportedly took cover and returned fire, during which Rodriguez was shot. The other two suspects managed to escape during the exchange.

Rodriguez was rushed to the Port of Spain General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A search for the two remaining suspects was conducted but no arrests were made as of Thursday morning.

Police sources have indicated that Rodriguez was a known figure to law enforcement and was classified as a priority offender.

This incident brings the total number of police-involved killings in Trinidad and Tobago to 50 for the year.