Cops kill ‘madman’ in Valencia

A KNIFE-and cutlass-wielding man, described as mentally unstable by the police, was yesterday shot and killed by law officers after he allegedly attacked them in Valencia. The man has been identified as Gideon Edwards, 45, of Kangalee Street, Valencia.  He is also known as “Tony”, and was a St Ann’s Hospital outpatient. Reports are that around 11.05 am yesterday, Valencia police received a distress call from residents of Kangalee Lane, stating that a man from the area, armed with a knife and cutlass, was threatening villagers.  The man, later identified as Edwards, reportedly told one of the residents, Lisa Panalal, 25, that he was going to slit her throat.

Two officers, one of them a female, from the Valencia Police Post responded. Police said when the officers arrived, Edwards was armed only with a cutlass.   Police said the two officers tried to pacify Edwards and subsequently called for back-up, after which officers from the Highway Patrol responded. Police said the party of officers spoke to Edwards for about 30 minutes, during which time he is said to have become more agitated.
The party of officers is said to have tried to then surround Edwards to take away the cutlass.  Police said Edwards became enraged and officers began closing in on him.  However, police said, Edwards raised the cutlass and began advancing towards the officers, one of whom discharged a service revolver. ASP Earl Gonzales of the Sangre Grande Criminal Investigations Department  is continuing the investigations.