TSTT offers reward for capture of killer

A $100,000 reward is being offered by the Telecommunications Services of T&T (TSTT) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators involved in the killing of its employee Kenny Goddard.

Goddard was on a job site with 13 other employees when an assailant approached and shot him on Sunday at around 11.30 pm. Goddard, an outside plant attendant, and the other members of the crew were installing cables near Mucurapo Road along the Western Main Road.

He was rushed to the West Shore Medical Hospital in Cocorite but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Goddard, 39, a father of two, ages 17 and 14, had been employed with the company for six years.

TSTT said in accordance with its policy, police officers were on duty at the job site. A statement first issued by the company said it was offering a $25,000 reward but by midday was increased to $100,000.

The statement said: “It is reported that around 11.30 pm Sunday night, while near the Peake’s gas station, Mr Goddard was approached by an unknown assailant and shot. “It is also reported that the assailant escaped in a waiting car.”

The company described the killing as a senseless, brutish, self-attack and said the perpetrators should be deplored. The TSTT statement added the rest of the crew was traumatised by the tragedy and affected employees would receive counselling “to help them to come to terms with this sad loss.” Counselling will also be extended to Goddard’s family. Goddard lived at the La Goya Housing Development, El Dorado. His father is a TSTT supervisor and his wife died a few months ago. Anyone with information can contact the police or CrimeStoppers at 800-TIPS.

CWU: Where was the police?
Angered by Goddard’s killing, the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) questioned the presence of the police on Sunday night. Speaking to the media outside TSTT’s offices on 109 St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, CWU president Joseph Remy said the union and TSTT officials met to discuss the matter which he believed was “disrespectful” since none of TSTT’s executive was present. Remy said TSTT’s executive had to be blamed for the killing because the work was supposed to be completed at 6.30 pm but continued to 11.30 pm.

“It went into all 11.30 pm and there was not one, single TSTT security personnel on site to protect its employees.” Remy questioned why TSTT was doing jobs in high risk areas without security for its employees. “Where was the police, if they (TSTT) said they (police) were there when Mr Goddard was shot in cold blood where were they?” he asked. Remy said about six weeks ago Goddard was one of five employees who was robbed while on duty in Carenage. “So in addition to being robbed a month-and-a-half ago he has now lost his life, so you could just imagine the trauma that is taking place among the employees who would have also been robbed in Carenage and now witness to this sordid incident that occurred last night (Sunday),” he added.