Murder in police station yard; minister declares killing "unacceptable"

Criminals in Trinidad and Tobago took another bold step Wednesday and murdered the wife of a soldier in a police station.

Carjackers were holding a gun to Camille Daniel's head as she drove into the compound of the West End Police Station in Diego Martin, in northwest Trinidad, hoping to get help. Instead the bandits shot and killed her in front of the station. She died instantly as the car crashed in the yard. Another woman who was in the car with Daniel is suffering from shock.

The attackers immediately fled. Police told local media security cameras recorded the image of one man, who was later arrested and is being questioned. They say two other men left the wrecked vehicle, scaled a wall and escaped.

Police are questioning four men and are still looking for the attackers.

Daniel's murder pushed the homicide toll for 2009 to 270.

In reaction to the brazen killing the minister of national security issued a statement to the media declaring, "It is clear that the criminal elements are not letting up."

Martin Joseph's statement condemned "this act in the strongest possible terms" noting that it is "unacceptable for any citizen in this country to be murdered in such a way."

It added, "This is a battle that all law-abiding citizens in Trinidad and Tobago must join to stop this small minority of individuals who are bent on causing chaos in this society and bring harm to innocent citizens.

"It is even worse that such a heinous act could occur on the premises of a police station where people ought to feel safe...

"I am informed by the police that two persons have been apprehended and are assisting them in their investigations. I am sure the Commissioner of Police, Mr James Philbert will keep the media informed as to the status of the investigations at a later time."

The station where the murder took place was considered one of five model stations, according to Joseph. Read the story by Anna Ramdass in the Trinidad Express