Relatives of policeman Marlone Mitchell, who was shot dead at a Couva bar early on Friday morning, described him as a stalwart in their family. They spoke while awaiting autopsy results at the Forensic Science Centre in St James later on Friday.

“He was not a fighter,” a relative said in a brief conversation.

“But he didn’t take disrespect either. He always stood up for people and he didn’t like people who disrespected others.”

Relatives were reluctant to speak to the media but said his death came as a shock to them.

“It is surprising to us that he was even out at that hour of the night,” said one relative who did not wish to be named.

“He is not a limer.”

Police reported that gunshots were heard at about 1 am at Lolita’s bar on Mc Bean, Southern Main Road.

When they responded, they found Mitchell lying face down outside the bar with a gunshot wound to his chest. He died at the scene.

CCTV footage showed Mitchell, dressed in a white T-shirt and blue three-quarter pants, outside the bar, walking towards a vehicle. He then approaches another man who is wearing a white vest. Mitchell is holding what appears to be a gun in his hand.

The officer then strikes the man, and the two begin to fight. During the fight, Mitchell was shot.

Relatives confirmed that at the time, he had his personal, licensed firearm and it is believed the other man wrested away the weapon from Mitchell, which he then used to shoot the officer. The man involved in the incident surrendered to the Freeport Police Station on Friday afternoon.

Relatives said that the CCTV footage outside the bar only told part of the story.

They say they were told that the incident started inside the bar, where there may have been an exchange of words between Mitchell and another person. They hope that footage of what happened inside the bar could reveal more details surrounding the incident.

PSWA: DRAW ONLY IN

LIFE & DEATH SITUATION

Contacted for comment, Police Social and Welfare Association (PSWA) president Acting ASP Gideon Dickson said police officers and civilian owners of licensed firearms alike are trained to draw their weapons only in life-and-death situations.

“It is always incumbent on the firearm holder to exercise emotional intelligence in all situations. From your training, you learn that it is only in life-and-death situations do you resort to using your firearm, in order to avoid the loss of life of both yourself and others in close vicinity to you. The best practice is to think beyond the moment and only draw when it is absolutely necessary.”

[caption id="attachment_1062684" align="alignnone" width="669"] President of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association Gideon Dickson. -[/caption]

He extended condolences to the Mitchell family and described the situation as “unfortunate.”

“We have lost another life. This period in our country is a festive one. It should not be marred with unnecessary and senseless killing.”

No arrest has been made in the incident and Dickson called on investigators to bring t