Dragonfly Centre: ‘Love affair’ sparked cop’s suicide

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Non-Profit, 501(c)(3)

Mission: The Dragonfly Centre is committed to the elimination of domestic violence against women and their children by providing victim friendly services that promotes the empowerment of survivors; through advocacy, public awareness and education and community based initiatives.

Vision: The Dragonfly Centre envisions a world free of violence against women and their children and social justice for all. We are founded on the vision and belief that every person has the right to live in a safe environment free from violence and the fear of violence and strive to work collaboratively with the community to provide victim friendly services to support domestic violence victims, survivors to the stage of thriving.

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Saturday, December 28, 2013

‘Love affair’ sparked cop’s suicide

By Susan Mohammed susan.mohammed@trinidadexpress.com

Story Created: Dec 27, 2013 at 11:41 PM ECT

Story Updated: Dec 27, 2013 at 11:41 PM ECT

A LOVE affair is believed to have sparked the suicide of police constable Lutchmansingh Pooran, after he tried to kill his niece-in-law.

Investigating police officers said yesterday they received written statements confirming the affair from several relatives of Pooran, and from shooting victim Andrea Angel Persad.

A detective told the Express that on Boxing Day, Pooran contacted Persad by phone and threatened to kill her and himself.

Shortly after midday, Pooran drove to Persad’s grandmother’s home at Spring Trace, Siparia, and attempted to carry out his threats.

He shot her after she refused to enter his car, and as she ran into her relative’s home for refuge, he shot himself in the head.

Pooran, 29, was attached to the Criminal Gang and Intelligence Unit based in Port of Spain. He joined the service some ten years ago.

He lived at Ramsubhag Trace, Barrackpore, and was married with a two-year-old child.

At his home yesterday, family members declined to speak about the incident, or to provide a photograph of Pooran.

A relative said to show Pooran’s face would put other members of the Criminal Gang and Intelligence Unit in jeopardy.

Persad was kept at San Fernando General Hospital for a gunshot wound, as a bullet had grazed her chest and exited her arm.

She was expected to be discharged from hospital yesterday.

An autopsy was conducted on Pooran’s body yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, where the man’s relatives avoided the media when approached for comment.

The autopsy concluded Pooran’s death was consistent with a gunshot wound.

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Love-affair-sparked-cops-suicide-237723531.html

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A Little Background…..

In 2007 I was introduced to the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a beautiful tropical country located in the southern most part of the Caribbean archipelago. However, the opportunity to travel to this part of the world would not present itself until March of 2009. It was an incredible experience to be able to visit a country where I had never been before and I literally knew no-one. I had the privilege to experience a new culture and meet many wonderful people who made my trip an amazing experience. Although the purpose of my visit was recreational, something happened that changed all of that. One evening while on a hike with my tour guide and one of the locals at The ASA Wright Nature Centre, one of the men asked me where I was from and what I did for a living. It was at that moment that I disclosed that I was a Domestic Violence Advocate. He paused, looked at me and replied,… “we need you here”. At that moment I did not fully understand what he meant or how I could help.

A few days after this I visited one of the local court houses to learn about how someone could obtain a protection order. What I discovered disturbed me greatly, to say the least. The process by which abused individuals could obtain legal protections left much to be desired. This sparked grave concern for victims coupled with a desire to learn more about the local system and services. After I finished my travels all I could think about was the need of the people in Trinidad and Tobago. It was shortly after my return to the United States that the Dragonfly Centre for Women’s Empowerment and Transformation began to take form. While completing my Bachelors degree at Evergreen College, I developed an Individual Learning Contract entitled “Domestic Violence in Trinidad and Tobago” and was awarded The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. This allowed me to return to Trinidad and Tobago for my final quarter at the end of December of 2009 for my nine week study. My focus was on services addressing domestic violence. What I came away with was the echoing cries for help by the people who freely shared their personal views and stories. Although I wasn’t quite sure what, I knew I had to do something. As a consequence, it was these cries that gave birth to and helped shape the Dragonfly Centre to be what it is, a multifaceted institution with a focus on public education, shaping public policy and providing direct victim friendly services to support families dealing with domestic violence.