Saturday, December 29 2012

A WOMAN was left injured while her attacker is dead, following an incident in Northern Division yesterday morning which has left police officers baffled. While up to press time full details remained unavailable, Newsday was informed that some time between midnight and 1 am yesterday, occupants of a house along Harris Trace, Monte Grand, Tunapuana, were awakened by the sound of loud knocking on the front door.

A 37-year-old man, who is said to be a university lecturer, made his way downstairs to see who was pounding at the door. As he opened the door, the lecturer was struck in the face by an armed man. The lecturer reportedly fell to the ground as the assailant forced his way into the house.

The armed man then reportedly made his way upstairs, where he confronted the lecturer’s wife and shot her in the face and leg. The assailant then made his way downstairs, where unknown to him, the lecturer had regained consciousness.

The home owner managed to sneak up on his attacker and stabbed him several times. As the intruder collapsed, the lecturer started to beat the man. The police were notified and within minutes, members of the Northern Division arrived at the scene. The injured woman was rushed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, where she underwent emergency treatment and remains warded in serious condition.

The owner of the house is said to be assisting police with their investigations. District Medical Officer Dr Maraj visited the scene and ordered the body of the intruder — later identified by police as Akiel Agard, 23, of Pitch Road, Morvant, — removed to the Forensic Science Centre in St James, for an autopsy. A firearm was also reportedly recovered at the home.

A party of officers including Superintendent Williams and Inspector Robaine, as well as other men and women from the Northern Division Task Force and the Homicide Bureau of Investigations visited the scene. Inquiries are continuing.

As a result of this incident, Assistant Commissioner of Police Wayne Dick and Senior Superintendent David Abraham have increased police patrols in the area and have also ordered the monitoring of certain areas in the division to prevent similar home invasions from occurring.