Funeral today for man killed by police

She was injured during an altercation with a police officer on the fateful day. Gilbert’s grandmother, Daphne Gilbert, also had to seek medical attention after she was allegedly cuffed by another police officer.

Gilbert’s killing is now under investigation by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. The probe is being led by Acting Supt Yusuff Gaffar with the support of officers from the Homicide Region Three South. Yesterday, a female relative, who spoke to Newsday, said they are prepared to wait and allow police to do their investigations.

“We are leaving police to do what they have to do,” the relative said.

An investigation was ordered on Friday by Commissioner of Police (Ag) Harold Phillip, following the fatal shooting which occurred at about 11.30 am on October 19, while members of the Southern Division Task Force were on duty at Laurence Street, San Fernando.

Gilbert, police said, had several outstanding warrants and it was reported that officers had gone to the HDC apartment to execute the warrants when the fatal shooting incident occurred. Relatives accused the officers of shooting an unarmed man. An autopsy revealed that Gilbert was shot twice in the back with the bullets exiting the chest area. The Police Complaints Authority has also began conducting their own investigation into the killing which sparked outrage, not only among family members and his immediate community, but also among members of the public who viewed video footage of his final moments. The video that went viral online showed Gilbert on the ground bleeding from the chest.

It also showed police officers lifting him by his hands and feet as they took him to a police vehicle to be transported for medical attention.

Gilbert was subsequently pronounced dead on arrival at the San Fernando General Hospital.