Cop shot dead at Anchorage pub

A SPECIAL Reserve Police Officer asked his friend to tell his mother that he had been shot, and to inform the police about the shooting, before collapsing and dying. PC Clyde Best, 31, died around 3 am yesterday shortly after being shot in the back by a man he had fought with and had cause to put out of the Anchorage Pub, Chaguaramas. According to reports, Best, who has ten years service and was attached to the West End Police Station was working extra duty around 2 am when he had cause to warn and order a man, who was cursing and generally behaving badly, off the compound.

Following a physical confrontation, the man left and returned later with a gun and started firing shots in the direction of Best. The father of six after receiving the first shot to his back looked in the direction of his killer, turned to his friend and told him what to do before collapsing. The gunman then jumped into his car and drove off. Police later held an injured man seeking medical attention at a nursing home in Tunapuna and he is currently assisting them in their enquiries. Two other persons who were shot in the melee, a hot dog vender and a visitor to the pub are also warded at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. Police recovered six spent shells at the scene. When Sunday Newsday visited the Best family home at Upper Seaview Street, Carenage his traumatised common-law wife Dadriann Rampersadsingh could not speak, but his sister Michelin Hillaire called for a “speedy justice.”

“My brother was mother and father to his children, following the death of his wife two years ago. What this man has done is taken away a mother and father from his children.” “Clyde was always on the hustle to make money to care for his family, which was what he was doing when he was killed. He was the sole breadwinner and while we know his mother will assist now with the care of the children, it will not be the same without him. “As a brother he was a jovial and wonderful person. This killer must be brought to justice — swift justice. There must be no long delays.” Family sources also confirmed that his common-law wife had begged Best to remain at home that night but he insisted on going to make some extra cash. Investigations revealed that Best regularly worked at the Anchorage Pub and was well known to the man who shot him. Sgt Joefield of the Carenage Police Station is continuing enquiries.