A MAN being sought by police in connection with the July 28 murder of PC Rommel Douglas was shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire with officers at his girlfriend’s home in Matura on Tuesday night.Hassan ‘H-Man’ Johnson, 18, was killed at a two-bedroom concrete house at the seven-and-three-quarter-mile mark, Main Road, Mora Trace, Matura. His death brings to 21 the number of people killed by police in Trinidad and Tobago this year.
DEAD: Hassan ‘H-Man’ Johnson
According to police, around 11 p.m., officers received information that Johnson was at his girlfriend’s home, where he had allegedly been hiding since Douglas’ murder.Johnson was believed to have been staying away from his home in Second Street, Printeryville, Arima.Officers from the Home Invasion Team (HIT), Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Western Division Gang Unit, South-Western Division Gang Unit and the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations Team, along with members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, responded to the information. Police surrounded the house before entering through a door on its eastern side.Officers, with their firearms drawn, entered the house when Johnson allegedly opened fire at them. The officers returned fire, striking Johnson several times.A 19-year-old man and Johnson’s girlfriend were also inside the house at the time. They however were not injured.Police took Johnson to the Sangre Grande Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 11.55 p.m. The other man and Johnson’s girlfriend were detained.Johnson was wanted in connection with the July 28 murder of Douglas, who was assigned to the Four Roads Police Station. Around 11.05 p.m. that night, Douglas, who was off-duty was sitting in a car at the corner of Hydraulic Trace and Caroni South Bank Road, Kelly Village, when a white Nissan Tiida pulled alongside his vehicle.Police said the occupants of the Tiida attempted to rob Douglas, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. Douglas was shot during the exchange and died.One of the alleged bandits, 19-year-old Adetola Ammon of Arima, was also shot and killed. Police believe Ammon was shot by one of his accomplices.Douglas was laid to rest on August 6 following a funeral service at the Morvant Central Community Centre, Cipriani Street, Morvant. During the service, Douglas was remembered as a family-oriented man who was deeply committed to his loved ones.
