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Also on the weekend, a bank employee named Giselle Peters, is fatally beaten and stabbed in the neck.

Last Saturday, 38 year Ms. Peters was visiting the construction site on her home in Satyam Drive Reform Residential Phase Two in Gasparillo, when she was ambushed by three men.

It is believed the mother of two was killed during an attempted robbery.

Ms. Peters was an employee of Scotia Bank for about ten years.

She was stationed at the San Fernando branch.

Residents in the area say, they heard screams coming from the incomplete three-story structure.

Police officers from the Gasparillo station responded.

Three masked men wearing gloves were reportedly seen fleeing the area, after the killing.

Officers found Ms. Peters unresponsive.

She was stabbed on the left side of her neck.

With confirmation of a 5^th dengue related death, the Ministry of Health is reminding members of the public to be vigilant.

Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh yesterday acknowledged, the climbing numbers and assured several agencies are at work in trying to stop the spread of the virus.

The ministry also reports 450 laboratory confirmed cases.

Members of the public are reminded that dengue fever may be spread by, the bite of an infected Aedes Aegypti mosquito. 

According to the ministry symptoms appear within 5-6 days of being bitten, last for 1-2 weeks and can include fever, headaches and skin rash.

There is also the possibility of nausea, diarrhea and muscle and joint pains.

Those in charge of governing the eastern borough of Arima have taken a decision to cancel j’ouvert celebrations, because of crime and the fear of crime.

The borough’s carnival like j’ouvert has become a staple in recent years.

But Mayor Balliram Maharaj yesterday said, consultations with the police and others have led to the decision to scrap the event.

He assured that the borough is well covered and police would have been able to manage the event, but good sense had to prevail.

The mayor called on members of the public to recognize, life has challenges.

He also said, there will be a full month of activities in the borough including benefits delivered by the business community.

The mayor, himself a businessman said, the community must understand the need for restraint this year.

Fired employees of the Strategic Services Agency, are insisting their names need to be cleared.

They want the agency’s director Anthony Phillips-Spencer to wipe clean, any perceived or suggested claims they were involved in a plot to overthrow the political leadership, of this country.

The express newspaper today says president of the National Contract Workers and Gene­ral Employees Association of Trinidad and Tobago Chris­topher Joefield, confirmed his union represents the six fired workers.

He reportedly says, a meeting was held last week at the SSA’s Sackville Street, Port of Spain office, where this request, among others, was placed on the mediation table.

Earlier this month Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley delivered a statement to the parliament, in which he said the SSA was compromised with the esta­blish­ment of a militarized ope­­rational unit, and was infiltra­ted by a religious “cult” that wanted to replace the “country’s political leadership”.

The prime minister shared what he described as “shocking” information, ema­nating from an audit into the SSA.

It included the agency’s purchase of high-grade, military bolt-action rifles, complete with the most modern silencers and other accessories, as well as an increased volume of ammunition—which is under police probe.

Mr. Joefield said, the six represented by the uni­on are not members of the church in question and are not cult members.

He said, one of the six members was invited by the SSA to have a conversation with one of the principals there, with a view to be re-employed or re-engaged.

However, Mr. Joefield said to his knowledge, that person has not been rehired.

Meanwhile, Oropouche East Mp Dr. Roodal Moonilal is questioning why police officers have been given faulty bulletproof vests.

He says, the Minister of National Security and the Police Commissioner must explain.

Dr. Moonilal also says, officers have resorted to purchasing their own protective gear and this could lead to legal action.

The Police Commissioner is concerned about an incident, which led to the death of a civilian, and the wounding of police officer, Shakala Charles.

Up to last evening PC Charles was in a critical but stable condition after being shot, while at St.Paul Street in east Port of Spain on Monday night

The dead man is identified as, Jonathan Wharwood.

Commissioner Erla Harewood Christopher says, those who feel emboldened, to commit acts of lawlessness will feel the full force of the police.

In a statement yesterday, the commissioner said, criminals will be dealt with according to law.

She said, as Police Commissioner, she is deeply concerned about the incident in which PC Charles, was shot and wounded while in the line of duty.

Police say, they found 47 spent five point five six spent shells at the scene.

Also discovered were 37 spent nine-millimeter shells.

PC Charles was wearing a bulletproof vest, during his investigation into the shooting.

A police officer assigned to the Guard and Emergency Branch is shot in the chest, while on patrol in east Port of Spain.

It happened around 8.30 pm yesterday.

Reports say, PC Shakala Charles was with another officer in a marked police vehicle on, George Street when they responded to a shooting at St. Paul Street.

Gunmen opened fire on the police vehicle and PC Charles, who was in the front passenger seat, was hit.

Police said, the bullet penetrated his bulletproof vest on the side.

Another man, identified as Keron George, of East Dry River, was also wounded in the attack.

Both the officer and George were taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital.

Mr. Charles’s colleagues were said to be donating blood, for his emergency surgery.

Police found the vehicle used in the shooting, a seven-seater, abandoned a short distance away.

There were multiple spent shells in the vehicle and an extended 9mm magazine.

Commenting on the incident, DCP Intelligence and Investigations Suzette Martin said, police officers were going out every day and putting their lives on the line.