At the very first sign of domestic violence women must seek help to avoid further abuse and, in some instances, death. Making the call was ASP Joanne Archie, public information officer of the Police Service at yesterday’s weekly press briefing, at the Police Administration building, Port-of-Spain. Archie’s comments came in the wake of the killing of popular talk show host Marcia Henville who was murdered at her St Augustine home last weekend.
The Victim and Witness Support Unit, Archie added, was specifically launched to investigate such cases and similar offences.
Regarding claims that police officers failed to properly probe reports of young missing girls, Archie said, “We have indeed been seeing reports of young girls leaving home for whatever reason...it may be after a family dispute and of course in some instances episodal but what we want to advise parents is that young people may be going through a lot...they have a lot of challenges and you have to look for warning signs.”
She assured that all matters and leads would be thoroughly investigated. A stern warning was also sent to people and even schoolchildren who had pepper spray in their possession, as this was as an illegal substance, Archie said. Eight students of the Morvant/Laventille Secondary School were hospitalised on Tuesday after being rushed for medical treatment when they were pepper sprayed by a group of students from the same school.
The action also resulted in a stern warning from Education Minister Dr Tim Goopeesingh and Minister of National Security Gary Griffith. Describing pepper spray as a prohibited weapon, Archie added, “If found in possession of that they can be charged for possession.”
Wheelchair murderer still free
Up to late yesterday, police had failed to capture the wheelchair man, Azad Ali, wanted for the murders of at least two women. The Claxton Bay man is the main suspect in the death of 19-year-old Salma Chadee, who was shot multiple times at her Caroni home two weeks ago. He is also wanted in connection with the murder of Sherlene Mahangoo-Charles at her Tarodale, San Fernando, home last year.
Mahangoo-Charles’s 15-year-old daughter was wounded in the shooting. Asked how far police investigations had reached in the matter, Archie said, “We have no updates.” Police believe the 35-year-old suspect was being assisted by relatives and friends as he was unable to move around on his own. Archie also urged members of the public who had information to pass it on to the police.