PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Nov 17, CMC – Police are searching for the killers of a 52-year-old husband and his wife, in a home invasion during the early hours of Monday.
Police said that gunmen broke into the home of Shaffeak and Babita Vialva, in Penal, in south Trinidad, demanding money. But they said that before any valuables could be handed over, one of the intruders opened fire on the couple.
The gunmen fled in a vehicle, which officers later found abandoned with signs that the attackers had tried to set it on fire.
Relatives said that Shaffeak, worked in forestry while his 41 year-old wife was a housewife. They said that they have no reason why the couple had been killed.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said that “Stand Your Ground” legislation, otherwise known as the Home Invasion (Self-Defence and Defence of Property) Bill, will be brought to Parliament before the end of 2025.
“We need to clamp down on home invasions, vehicle thefts and robberies. While the statistics show an actual decline, citizens are not sensing or feeling a decrease in fear. This is because of the years of trauma from violent crime and murders. We have to work harder to improve on the gains made thus far,” the Prime Minister said.
Meanwhile, the authorities have named 38-year-old Avanelle Abraham, as the woman who was shot in the head as she exited a car in Longdenville in Central Trinidad on Sunday.
They said that the mother of one, had recently opened a hair salon, with relatives saying she was hardworking and dedicated to her son.
CMC/fh/2025