ttgapers.com

Police in Trinidad say a 38-year-old U.S. Army soldier vacationing on the Caribbean island was killed when gunmen rammed his car from behind in Laventille, a rough slum, and then opened fire. Authorities say Sgt. Simeon Roderique was shot Tuesday night shortly after dropping a woman off at her home in Laventille.

Laventille is a gang-plagued community just east of Trinidad's capital. The woman's brother was also killed. It is a stronghold of the opposition party, PNM. The police statement issued Wednesday says robbery is suspected as the motive. There have been no arrests.

A statement from the U.S. Embassy in Trinidad says local authorities "are diligently working to solve this deplorable crime." A hometown or state for Roderique was not immediately disclosed by police or U.S. officials.