Career criminal killed in shootout

Freed on two separate murder charges in 1998 and 2001, the man was wanted for a third murder committed three weeks ago, was a suspect in several rapes, and had several shooting, robbery, firearm possession and drugs possession charges dating back to his early teens.

Dead is Dennis Chambers, 32, alias "The Menace" formerly of East Dry River, Laventille, and Febeau Village, San Juan. Up to the time of his death, "The Menace" lived at Eastern Main Road, Petit Bourg. He had been on the run for the last two weeks after stabbing to death his neighbour Pyrone Dunbar, 63, on July 4. According to reports, about 11.30 pm on Sunday night, police were on patrol along Third Avenue, Barataria, when they saw a car turning into a one way street. The officers confronted the men who opened fire.

The police returned fire and, on reaching the entrance to the Himalaya Club, two of the men abandoned the vehicle, while the third man stumbled out and fell with bullet wounds to several parts of his body.

The bleeding man was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he died about 2.30 am yesterday.

A father of three, Chambers was freed in April 1998 for the February 14 1996 murder of Dexter Ottley. He was again freed in September 2001 for the March 28 1996 murder of Wendell Mills.

In November 2000, he was acquitted of several firearm and shooting charges. He also had several charges for the same type of incidents, and for escaping legal custody twice.

Investigation also revealed that Chambers was well known in the underworld as a henchman who was plotting the war between Muslims and non- Muslims in the Laventille and Morvant area.

Police believe the men were about to commit a crime when they were confronted.

San Juan police are investigating.