Relatives of Timmion Francois, the 41-year-old New Grant man fatally shot by police on Sunday, are challenging the officers’ account and calling for a thorough investigation. They have also appealed to the Police Complaints Authority to intervene, the Trinidad Express reported.
Francois, of Naggee Road, Hindustan, died after officers went to his home in connection with a reported home invasion in Indian Walk. His family disputes police allegations that he committed that offence and advanced towards officers with a cutlass.
According to a Trinidad and Tobago Police Service release cited by the Express, a 41-year-old woman reported that a suspect armed with a cutlass unlawfully entered her home and assaulted her on the day before the shooting.
Police said officers arrived at Francois’ home at approximately 10.15 a.m. on Sunday, identified themselves and saw him carrying a cutlass. The TTPS alleged that he became aggressive, ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon and advanced towards the officers while brandishing it.
The release said officers fired their service weapons because they perceived an immediate threat to their lives and safety. Francois was taken to hospital for treatment but later died.
His brother, Damion Francois, gave the Express a different account. He alleged that three officers forced open the door and shot his brother before taking him away in a police vehicle. Damion rejected the description of his brother as a criminal and said he had been a permanent Ministry of Works employee for close to 20 years.
Damion said someone had delivered money that morning for Francois to buy roti for a Divali function. Another person subsequently brought him a weed cutter to repair. He described his brother as someone who repaired items for others and enjoyed making people laugh.
Damion also said Francois knew the owner of the property where the home invasion allegedly occurred and often spent time there. That statement forms part of the family’s challenge to the account of events.
Francois’ brother-in-law, Hayden Rampersad, similarly alleged that officers broke down the door and shot Francois as he emerged. He disputed the allegation that Francois attacked the officers with a cutlass.
The police and relatives’ accounts differ sharply over what happened at the house. The family is seeking an investigation into the circumstances of the shooting and intervention by the Police Complaints Authority.
