A routine traffic stop in the Trinidad and Tobago town of Arima spiraled into a chaotic confrontation last Friday that left one police officer injured and sparked multiple official probes into an accidental gun discharge, law enforcement authorities have confirmed. The incident, which unfolded steps from the Arima Magistrates’ Court along Sorzano Street, involved a couple from Diego Martin who now face criminal charges following the clash.
According to official statements from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the encounter began when patrol officers from the Arima Traffic Department spotted a heavily tinted Toyota Hilux parked illegally in a designated No Parking Zone. Katrianna Rezende, 38, who was behind the wheel at the time, was first issued a fixed-penalty notice for violating the country’s motor vehicle window tint regulations, which mandate minimum levels of visible light transmittance for windshields and vehicle windows.
After issuing the ticket, officers ordered Rezende to move the vehicle out of the restricted parking area, an instruction she openly refused. When law enforcement then requested to see her driving documentation, she again declined to comply. As tensions rose, Rezende started the vehicle and attempted to drive away, allegedly striking one of the responding officers in the process. The officer, who reported a painful burning sensation to her right foot, believed her life was in immediate danger from the moving vehicle and drew her service weapon, holding it pointed toward the ground.
As Rezende reversed the vehicle, the officer attempted to return the gun to its holster. In that movement, her finger accidentally made contact with the trigger, firing a single round off from the weapon, the TTPS confirmed. The entire incident was captured on body-worn camera footage belonging to an estate constable with the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission, adding a key piece of evidence for ongoing probes.
In remarks to reporters during a Wednesday news conference at the Port of Spain Police Administration Building, Deputy Police Commissioner Curt Simon confirmed that TTPS leadership has launched a full internal investigation into the encounter. “The executive is aware. Yesterday (Wednesday) I spoke with Snr Supt Maynard Wilson, who is in charge of that division, and an investigation has commenced to look into that matter,” Simon said.
Independent oversight is also underway: David West, head of the Police Complaints Authority, confirmed to local media outlet *Express* that the authority has launched its own parallel probe and assigned a dedicated investigator to the case.
Following the confrontation, both Katrianna Rezende and her 39-year-old husband Manuel Rezende were taken into custody and charged with multiple criminal offenses. Katrianna faces counts of disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest, dangerous driving, careless driving, and assaulting a police officer, while Manuel was charged with disorderly behaviour and use of obscene language. All charges were filed by officers assigned to the Arima Traffic Unit.
The pair made their initial court appearances this week. Katrianna Rezende appeared before Master Lisa Singh-Phillip in the Arima High Court on Wednesday, where she entered not guilty pleas to all charges brought against her. She was granted bail with a total value of TT$140,000: $80,000 with a surety for the assault on a police officer charge, and an additional $60,000 for the remaining offenses. As a condition of her bail, she is required to sign in at the Four Roads Police Station once per month between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Her case has been adjourned for further proceedings on June 24.
Manuel Rezende appeared separately before Magistrate Ali in the Arima Magistrates’ Court, where he was granted TT$30,000 bail. His next court date is scheduled for November 30.
Speaking to *Express* about the incident, Acting Superintendent Ishmael Pitt, president of the Police Social and Welfare Association, noted that while the TTPS puts all its officers through rigorous weapons handling training, accidental discharge events can still occur even for well-trained personnel. Pitt explained that standard protocol following such an incident requires a full investigation before any remedial action is taken, and common outcomes include recommending the involved officer complete a refresher course on safe weapons handling.
“Where an accident has occurred, re-training and other forms of remedial action would be the usual protocol,” Pitt said.