During Carnival Tuesday in Trinidad and Tobago, a shooting occurred, leading to one death and four injuries. Irvin Joaquin Mayora, a Venezuelan national, died, while others included a U.S. citizen. A man, believing himself under threat, discharged his firearm, hitting bystanders. Authorities are investigating the incident, which unfolded amid efforts to ensure Carnival safety.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival festivities were disrupted by a tragic event, as a shooting occurred along the Western Main Road in St. James on Carnival Tuesday, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. Irvin Joaquin Mayora, a 30-year-old Venezuelan national, was pronounced dead, while four others sustained injuries, including a United States citizen from Maryland.
Among the injured are a 66-year-old man from Diego Martin, a 25-year-old man from St. James, and a 29-year-old woman from Maraval. A 61-year-old individual from Carapichaima reported that he was attacked while walking. In self-defense, he drew his firearm and shot at his assailant, inadvertently hitting four bystanders in the process.
Mayora collapsed after running a short distance from the incident. The shooter remained at the scene and was detained by security personnel. Subsequently, he was handed over to responding officers, who confiscated his firearm. The other victims were promptly transported to St. James District Hospital; the condition of the 25-year-old man, who suffered a head injury, is described as serious, while the remaining victims are stable.
A police investigation into the incident is ongoing, spearheaded by a team of senior officers. Eleven spent 9mm shell casings were recovered from the scene, and there are indications that Mayora is a suspect in the initial confrontation. Nonetheless, the authorities have yet to confirm whether the 61-year-old was licensed to carry a firearm.
This violent occurrence transpired following a community-wide event led by Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds and acting Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin, who celebrated the general safety during the Carnival, with only one reported major incident occurring previously. The nation continues to operate under a State of Emergency, which has been in place since December 29, 2024, granting law enforcement additional powers without a current curfew.
The recent shooting incident during Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival highlights the ongoing challenges related to public safety in festive gatherings. With one deceased and several others injured, law enforcement is intensifying its investigation while the nation remains under a State of Emergency. This tragic event casts a shadow over Carnival celebrations, underscoring the delicate balance between community festivities and security concerns.
Original Source: cayman.loopnews.com
