The cold-blooded murders of Woman Police Constable Elizabeth Sutherland, her husband Ivan and daughter Anika was a warning to all police officers involved in various matters against a known gang leader and his relatives.
By Denyse RennePolice sources said yesterday that the execution of the Sutherlands and family friend Kevin Serrette on Monday night was a message to officers who had testified in matters against the gang: "Testify against us and die."
Investigators said the gang of three family members had been on a reign of terror in Morvant before being charged with murder.
They were eventually acquitted of the murder, but one relative remained in police custody after being charged with possession of arms and ammunition. The said relative was sentenced to four years imprisonment by a Port of Spain Magistrate recently. However, another relative of the gang member has an arms and ammunition matter which is expected to start before a Port of Spain magistrate today.
Officers confirmed that following the acquittal of the gang members, two male police constables, one attached to the Morvant Police Station and the other of the Homicide Bureau received threats. The officers were also threatened while leaving the court after testifying in matters involving the gang on numerous occasions.
Sources said the John Street Extension area, where Sutherland lived, is a mere few metres from where the gang lives.
Sutherland, 47, was a former Special Reserve Police officer who was regularised in 2001 and stationed at the Morvant Police Station, where she was the records keeper. Officers said during her stay there she never made any arrests or testified in any matters before the courts. They added that Sutherland also never made any formal reports of having received death threats.
Investigating officers said that around 8.20 p.m. on Monday, they received a call that shots were heard coming from Sutherland's home.
A team of officers from the Morvant Police Station arrived on the scene and discovered Sutherland's 48-year-old husband and Serrette, 33, lying in the living room with gunshot wounds to the face and back of the head respectively.
Sutherland and her daughter were each shot once behind the head and police believe they were made to lie on their stomachs.
Officers believe both women were pleading with their killers to spare their lives, as tear stains were discovered on their cheeks by the District Medical Officer.
A shotgun and a pistol were used in the attacks.
Following the gruesome discovery, several areas in Morvant were locked down and homes were searched.
The men parked their getaway car in a track known as Red Wood and made their way to Sutherland's home, where they entered her house. The men then escaped through the track and sped off.
Investigations are continuing.
