A series of violent incidents has cast a shadow over what Trinidadian authorities expected to be one of the largest Carnival celebrations in recent years.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin, who is serving as Gold Commander, confirmed that a man who was stabbed during J’Ouvert festivities at the corner of De Verteuil Street and Ariapita Avenue in Woodbrook, Port of Spain later died from his injuries.

The victim was identified as 19-year-old Jayden Rouff, a resident of Laventille. 

Rouff died shortly after being taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital.

Videos circulating on social media showed bystanders assisting officers in placing Rouff into the tray of a police pick-up truck following the incident. 

Martin confirmed the matter is now being treated as a homicide investigation by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

Meanwhile, at the nearby One Woodbrook Place apartment complex, police responded to another stabbing, which Martin described as domestic in nature. 

A suspect has since been detained in connection with that incident.

In a separate and unrelated shooting also reported in the same general area, two men from Laventille were injured. 

Both men received medical treatment and were listed in stable condition at hospital.

Despite the incidents, Martin said the majority of Carnival activities across the country proceeded without major disruption.

“I wish to assure the national community that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service remains in full operational control of all major Carnival corridors across Trinidad and Tobago,” she said.

Martin noted that there was heightened police visibility in Port of Spain, St James, San Fernando, Arima, Chaguanas and Tobago. 

She added that law enforcement operations have been intensified with increased saturation patrols in Woodbrook and St James, enhanced stop-and-search exercises, strategic checkpoints and plainclothes intelligence teams. 

A Joint Task Force support team also remains on standby.

She further disclosed that several early-morning checkpoint exercises resulted in officers seizing multiple bladed weapons, including knives and cutlasses.

Authorities also confirmed that two road fatalities were recorded during the Carnival period. One occurred along Milford Road, Canaan, while the other took place along the Audrey Jeffers Highway in Port of Spain.

Police identified the Tobago victim as Shakeel Anthony Shade of Mason Hall. 

Shade, a former player with Stokely Vale Sports Club, had recently celebrated his 29th birthday.

Martin said investigations into both accidents are ongoing.