A devastating act of violence has shaken the law enforcement community of Trinidad and Tobago, after an off-duty police constable was gunned down during an attempted armed robbery in Caroni late Tuesday night. Forty-eight-year-old Romell Kerry Douglas, assigned to the Four Roads Police Station, had his licensed service weapon stolen by attackers following the fatal shooting.
The tragedy unfolded at approximately 11:05 p.m., as Douglas sat in his private vehicle at the intersection of Hydraulic Trace and Caroni South Bank Road in Kelly Village. Investigators confirm that a white Nissan Tiida pulled alongside Douglas’ car, and the individuals inside immediately initiated an attempted robbery. The confrontation quickly escalated into an exchange of gunfire: Douglas managed to return fire, striking one of the suspects before succumbing to his own gunshot wounds. First responders arrived on the scene 10 minutes after the incident, and Douglas was pronounced dead at the location. His service weapon remained missing, taken by the attackers during the chaos.
One of the suspects involved in the attack, 19-year-old Adetola Ammon of Arima, was transported to the Arima Health Facility with gunshot wounds he sustained during the shootout, and later died in medical care. Law enforcement recovered the suspects’ Nissan Tiida shortly after the shooting, and as of Wednesday night, a coordinated, large-scale manhunt was already active for the two remaining at-large suspects.
On Wednesday, senior leadership of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) paid public tribute to Douglas ahead of a scheduled news conference, holding a solemn minute of silence to honor the fallen officer. Senior officers including ASP Joel Forbes, ASP Ancil Corrie, and TTPS Public Information Officer ASP Owie Russell stood in respectful silence during the tribute. Russell confirmed that Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro and the entire TTPS executive had formally extended deep condolences to Douglas’ family, friends, and fellow officers.
Local residents who spoke with the Trinidad Express Wednesday expressed profound shock at the killing, with many highlighting the deep anxiety the incident has sparked amid the country’s ongoing state of emergency. One resident told the outlet, “We have officers being killed during a state of emergency…imagine that. I don’t know what else we can do to get a hand on the crime situation in this country.”
Leadership of the TTPS Social and Welfare Association has issued a strong condemnation of the killing, and issued a public appeal for community assistance to bring the remaining perpetrators to justice. Association head ASP Ishmael Pitt remembered Douglas as an exemplary, deeply professional and committed officer whose death represents an incalculable loss for both the association and the broader TTPS. “We condemn this in the strongest possible way,” Pitt said. “PC Douglas was a tremendous officer. He was very professional, very dedicated and this will definitely be a great loss to our membership and also to the Police Service at large.”
Pitt confirmed that association representatives have already begun supporting Douglas’ next of kin, and are working to ensure all eligible organizational benefits are promptly made available to Douglas’ beneficiaries. When asked about widespread concerns that officers may be deliberately targeted amid the current state of emergency, Pitt emphasized that the association views any attack on an officer, on or off duty, as unacceptable. He declined to draw a direct link between Douglas’ killing and the current national security measures, instead urging all serving officers to maintain strict vigilance in both professional and personal settings. “Regardless of the period, it is always a matter of great concern whenever law enforcement officers come under this type of attack,” Pitt said. “We want to emphasise to all members the need to exercise every level of safety and caution while executing their duties, and even in their personal lives.”
The Prison Officers Association of Trinidad and Tobago also issued a formal statement Wednesday extending its deepest condolences to Douglas’ loved ones and colleagues. “The loss of a fellow law enforcement officer is a profound tragedy that is felt across the entire protective services community. We mourn alongside the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and stand in solidarity with all those affected by this senseless act of violence,” the association said. “We pray that God grants strength, comfort, and peace to his loved ones during this time of immense grief and that his colleagues find courage as they continue to serve and protect the people of Trinidad and Tobago. May Police Constable Douglas’ service, dedication, and sacrifice never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers remain with his family, friends, and the entire Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.”
As of Wednesday night, the national murder toll for the current year stood at 220, a slight decrease from the 225 recorded at the same point in 2025.