T&T cops rule security firm owner’s death accidental
(Trinidad Guardian) Investigators probing the death Multinational Protection Specialist Network owner Richard Edwards have concluded it was accidental due to negligence in using his licensed firearm.
However, in an immediate response a relative, who wished not to be identified declared that it is a “cover-up.”
In a release yesterday, the T&T Police Service (TTPS) said the former Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force member was at his security business at Point Lisas Business Park at about 8.40 pm last Friday in the company of several people, inclusive of a police officer, when he took out his licensed 9 mm pistol and began demonstrating some
techniques with the firearm. During the demonstration, Edwards, 51, reloaded the pistol, removed the magazine and placed it to his head, as he explained his actions to the group. Despite warnings from some present, he continued his actions, released the trigger and a loud explosion was then heard as he fell to the floor. Edwards was rushed to the Eric Williams’ Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police have since recorded several statements from eyewitnesses and so far have corroborated this sequence of events.
However, in an immediate response a relative, who wished not to be identified, declared it was a “cover-up. Edwards’ relative said they believe that something was not right with the police’s investigation.
“He is overly trained. We believe it’s a cover-up! Also, he was never taken to Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, he was taken to Couva Hospital but the truth will come out.”
Edwards was previously named among several other people alleged to have been involved in a wounding with intent matter involving Dillon Johnson. However, the TTPS said Edwards was never interviewed by the police, as investigators did not have sufficient evidence to question him in that matter.
Investigations into his death are ongoing.