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Shot dead in the presence of his 3 children.

The latest victim of gun violence is Jerren Phillips.

His killing takes the murder toll to 15 so far this year.

Thirty-year-old Mr. Phillips was shot as his 3 children, aged 4, 2 and 8-years-old looked on.

Mr. Phillips was shot last Sunday evening.

He was at Mahabir Lane, D’abadie where a man wearing a mask and a black hoodie shot him.

Having witnessed the killing of their father, the children are said to have had trouble sleeping on Sunday night.

Relatives are shocked by the killing and said he was never involved in any crime or violent situations.

Mr. Phillips’ wife told reporters their 4-year-old daughter has been asking for her father and has asked why her mother was crying.

Relatives describe Mr. Phillips as a kind and loving man who avoided confrontations.

The Prison Officers Association takes issue with the condition of vehicles belonging to the service.

President Cerron Richards says too many vehicles are not working and the State has done nothing to address the problem.

Mr. Richards yesterday wondered if the State intends to privatise the service, hence the refusal to fix the vehicles.

Mr. Richards said these arrangements make one wonder about the plans of the government.

National Security Minister Stuart Young says the claims are without merit and must be dismissed.

But Mr. Richards insisted the fleet of vehicles owned by the Prison Service is not in good condition and even the Prisons Commissioner is driving a rental.

Minister Young is reported as saying he is disappointed with the approach taken by Cerron Richards, who has in the past been told to bring to his attention any concerns and they would be addressed.

The ASA Wright Nature Center has closed its doors and 49 people are now without jobs.

The center closed up operations because of the measures taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Trinidad and Tobago.

The employees were sent home last Friday.

Chairperson of the board Professor Judith Gobin says it was virtually impossible to maintain the monthly operating costs of approximately $450,000, which included salaries.

Professor Gobin is reported as saying it was a very difficult decision to make.

She said the not for profit trust remains functional and will continue managing its protected areas as a wildlife sanctuary.

The board chairperson also said ASA Wright is a foreign exchange earner but was not given a COVID-19 relief grant.

She said efforts to get assistance from the State failed, because the center did not qualify.

This may not be the best weekend to drive along the North Coast Road as the police service sends a warning to the public.

It says no overcrowding will be tolerated at beaches, as officers will be enforcing parking restrictions.

Superintendent of police Roger Alexander says only the car park facilities will be utilized by persons visiting Maracas and Las Cuevas Bay.

He says parking along the roadway would not be allowed in an effort to curb the number of persons visiting the beaches.

Superintendent Alexander also warns police officers would be out in their numbers along the North Coast Road to ensure persons follow the rules.

The action follows what was termed as a “beach party” at Tyrico last Sunday.

Videos circulating on social media showed hundreds of patrons dancing to loud music and drinking at the beach.

Officers of the Northeastern Division visited the scene and shut down the event.

On the Beyond the Tape program on Tuesday Superintendent Alexander said no one would be allowed to breach the COVID-19 protocols.

The National Carnival Commission says it has no money to boost virtual carnival events.

NCC head Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters maintains there will be no Carnival this year and therefore the government has allocated no funds to the staging of the national event.

Mr. Peters also says the NCC is not in any position to financially support Carnival interest groups wishing to stage virtual events or otherwise.

He was speaking on the Morning Show on i95.5fm yesterday.

Mr. Peters said some Carnival stakeholders have approached the NCC requesting millions of dollars.

He said he is not at all sold on a virtual Carnival, as it will not benefit anyone else but the promoter.

Mr. Peters said the NCC has proposed an antecedent look this year where archives on the history of Carnival would be used.

He said the government has accepted this proposal.

The Oilfield Workers Trade Union gives the Trinidad Cement Limited a one-week deadline to respond to the dismissal of workers.

Chief Labour Relations Officer, Lyndon Mendoza led the members in protest at the company’s south office yesterday.

He said what the company is doing is wrong and it will not be allowed.

According to Mr. Mendoza the government has given financial assistance to the manufacturing sector so there is no need to retrench staff.

He said the workers are angry and frustrated and are prepared to fight.

More positive cases are reported at the Port of Spain General Hospital.

The Registered Nurses Association says patients and members of staff have contracted the virus and there are growing concerns at the institution.

President of the association, Idi Stuart yesterday said 1 patient who tested positive died at the hospital.

Mr. Stuart said there is concern not just for the lives of nurses and other staff at the hospital but patients who may not be able to fight off the deadly virus.

He said this is recommended by the Center for Disease Control in the United States.

According to Mr. Stuart now is a good time to reduce the patient population at the Port of Spain General Hospital.

He feels patients can be sent to other hospitals and facilities, which are part of the parallel health care system.

Gun related killings in the east and the west of Trinidad and Tobago.

In Dabadie in the east, the victim has been identified only as Damien.

Reports say the incident occurred near the Dabadie public cemetery just after midnight last night.

Residents heard several explosions and contacted the police.

When officers arrived they found the man bleeding from gunshot wounds.

He was taken to a near by Arima Health Facility where he died.

And a Franklyn De Frietas is fatally shot by an off duty police officer at Lady Chancellor Hill.

At around 7:10 last night the officer was jogging when a car with 3 men pulled up alongside him.

It is said Mr. De Frietas was the driver of the car.

He reportedly opened fire on the officer who pulled his gun and shot Mr. De Frietas and another occupant of the vehicle.

Mr. De Frietas was pronounced dead at the Port of Spain General Hospital.

The wounded man is warded under police guard.

He was held while seeking medical attention at the Port of Spain General Hospital.