Prisons officer ambushed at Laventille home
Published: Guardian
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
National discus thrower Quincy Wilson is comforted by his older sister, Joanne Jack, following the murder of their brother, prisons officer Fitzalbert Victor Jr yesterday. PHOTOS: ABRAHAM DIAZ
After a failed attempt at his life six years ago, a gunman climbed the walls surrounding the Prizgar Lands, Laventille, home of prisons officer Fitzalbert Victor Jr and shot him repeatedly in the head and upper body yesterday.
The killing of another prisons officer, the third within 12 months, has unified both the executive of the Prisons Service and the Prisons Officers Association who both say their men and women are being hunted and killed by criminals.
In a media release yesterday Commissioner of Prisons Sterling Stewart, condemned the killing of Victor who he described as an honourable and exemplary officer.
Stewart added his men were being targeted by criminals and have been for some time, yet, with God as their protector they would continue to seek to rehabilitate those in their care.
“How much longer will we continue to say farewell to good, honest officers while it appears that these persons who are guilty of these cowardly and heinous acts continue to pick us off with apparent impunity?
“How much longer must we wait before the perpetrators of these dark dealings are brought to justice? We are under attack. We have been for some time now and far too long. There are too many lawless, brainless killers roaming free. We call for justice. We demand decisive actions now!†Stewart said in a statement.
Victor, who had ten years’ service could offer little defence when he was attacked as his back was turned, he had headphones on, the family’s pitbull was locked away and his service weapon, given to him after the first murder attempt, was locked away upstairs.
According to police reports, Victor, 32, was just about to clean his vehicle, a black Nissan Xtrail, around 6 am in preparation to assume duty two hours later at the Remand Yard, Port-of-Spain Prison, when the gunman snuck up and shot him. After the shooting, the killer ran off and escaped. Victor was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital but died while being treated.
Speaking with the media at the family’s home yesterday Victor’s father, Fitzalbert Victor Snr, said his son was loved by all in the community and he was adamant his killing was a direct link to his profession of choice.
Victor Snr added the escalating crime rate, his son’s murder among the 85 recorded for the year, 25 more than the same period last year, was out of control and there was little that could be done to address it.
“I don’t see anything can be done now it (crime) has escalated, the whole thing, trying to settle it now is a waste of time because the youths don’t want anything now. I just want everything to be smooth and let Jah do his work.
“I know he is a saltfish and is loved by everyone and everyone loved him. As far as I know it even have prisoners who speak good about him so i don't know what went wrong,†he said, when asked to describe his son.
The prisons officer’s younger brother, athlete Quincy Wilson, said he was currently training for the Olympics in the field event of discus throwing and would hope to honour his brother’s memories.
Wilson said he was not sure how he would be able to focus on his training now but he must for the sake of his brother. (JLV)
www.guardian.co.tt/news/2016-03-01/priso...shed-laventille-home
