Police cars vandalised near murder scene

TWO cops are facing disciplinary action for flouting regulations at a murder scene on Thursday night. According to police sources, “While their action is not seen as life-threatening or bringing the service into disrepute, the facts are they flouted the regulations of the Police Service and will be disciplined.” The action comes following the slashing of eight tyres on two police vehicles that were parked in Gonzales, Belmont, while the officers visited a murder scene. Trevor Mc Collins, aka “Black Boy,” was gunned down in front of his Upper Quarry Circular Road home in Belmont. “According to regulations, an officer, namely the driver, is supposed to remain with the vehicle at all times, especially in crime-stricken areas. Instead, these officers left the scene to ‘macco’ the dead body, leaving the police vehicle unmanned. “While no injuries occurred, the facts are that something could have been planted or removed, and we would not have been the wiser unless some damage was done.”

According to reports by the victim’s common-law wife, someone called out to Mc Collins, 39, at  around 7.30 pm at his home, telling him to open the gate. Mc Collins, a George Street vendor, responded, but stopped short of opening the gate, as several shots rang out. Mc Collins’ wife said she looked out and saw the father of two lying still in a pool of blood. He had been shot once in the head. Eyewitnesses claimed the gunman climbed on top of the galvanised gate and fired the fatal shot. The police and the DMO were contacted and the body removed to the Forensic Science Centre, where an autopsy revealed death by haemorrhaging consistent with a bullet wound. When Newsday visited the area, neighbours described Mc Collins as a quiet fellow, who did not talk much except to those he knew well. Police sources told Newsday, “Although Mc Collins lived in a crime-infested area, he had no antecedents. We have no motive for his murder.” Acting Insp Allen is investigating.