Trinidadian  Taekwondo coach shot dead

Siobhan Rogers

(Trinidad Guardian) Police investigating the killing of 38-year-old Siobhan Rogers say they have no clear motive for her murder.

 

However, one theory is that she may have been killed because of a recent business she started. According to that theory, Rogers was “stepping on some toes.”

 

Rogers was seated in the front seat of her partner’s car, near his business, Edson Breedy Taekwondo, at Abercromby Street, Maracas, St Joseph, on Monday, at about 8.45 pm.

 

Rogers worked as a lab director at Apex Diagnostics, located at First Flats, Maracas, St Joseph.

 

According to a police report, Rogers’ partner, 35, a doctor, told police he was securing his business when an AD station wagon pulled up and a man with a black bandanna over his face approached the vehicle – a Corolla – in which Rogers was seated and opened fire on her.

 

Rogers’ partner said he ran away when the shots were fired and returned shortly after to find her slumped over in the front passenger seat.

 

He then jumped into his vehicle and drove to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, to seek medical attention for her. She was examined but later pronounced dead at about 9.13 pm.

 

Police processed the scene and recovered two spent 40-calibre rounds and one live 40-calibre round.

 

Guardian Media understands that at the time of the shooting, officers of the Professional Standards Bureau were in the yard of the St Joseph Police Station and heard the gunshots. A message was immediately sent out to their colleagues.

 

Rogers was described by close friends and family as “one of the sweetest and most genuine souls.”

 

One woman wrote on social media that Rogers was her daughter’s Taekwondo coach and called for justice, saying, “This is my daughter’s TWD coach who she absolutely adores, and the coach of many other children. What a senseless, cowardly act. How do you explain to a five-year-old that she has no class today because someone murdered her coach right in front of their dojang. This place has descended into hell, totally gone through, and we eh riot yet.

 

“An amazing human being, star athlete, dedicated and loving woman was snatched from us. Give professionals and business owners FUL access, the police can’t protect us. Suppose they came into the dojang when the children were there, they don’t even care if they kill our children anymore. Justice needs to be served, these are good hard-working people providing children and adults with high-quality teaching.”

 

Guardian columnist Jonathan Bhagan also shared his sentiments, describing her as an amazing woman “and a great role model for the many youths she mentored in Taekwondo. She will be missed, the nation has become a lesser place for her loss.”

 

Investigations are continuing.