Another Trinidad Dancehall Artist, Siah Boss, Killed After Alleged Shootout With Police
Siah Boss is the second Dancehall artist in Trinidad & Tobago to be killed by police in as many days.
The Trinibad artist, whose real name is Josiah Mc Clatchie, was reportedly killed during a shootout with police in Santa Cruz on Sunday, according to the Trinidad Guardian newspaper. Dancehall artist Chucky Blanco was also shot and killed on Saturday after he, too, allegedly pointed a gun at cops.
According to the Guardian, police were at Sun Valley Road, Lower Santa Cruz at 5.30 pm on Sunday, investigating a report of a suspicious vehicle with armed men. The cops claimed that the vehicle drove towards them, and when ordered to stop, it crashed into them.
Police say the driver exited the vehicle with a gun and pointed it in their direction. They opened fire at the suspect, and he was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex where he was later pronounced dead.
The Guardian reported that the two other occupants of the vehicle, a 23-year-old and a 20-year-old, both firearm offenders of Picton Road, Laventille, were subsequently detained for questioning.
The police said they found one Smith & Wesson pistol with four rounds in Siah Boss’ possession. A Black Beretta pistol with five rounds was also found under the floor mat of the front seat of the suspect’s vehicle.
The shooting occurred one day after Dancehall artist Chucky Blanco was killed by police. According to the TT Newsday, he also allegedly pointed a gun at police when he was being chased. The police claim that Chucky fell while running and the gun fell out of his hands, but he pulled out another and aimed it at an officer causing the others to open fire on him. However, residents in the Laventille community, where the incident occurred, say the killing was unjustified.
Siah Boss has released songs such as The Return, Facts, and Violate.
In an Instagram on Saturday, Siah Boss paid tribute to Chucky. “You will be missed must see you again😪💯☝️🇵🇰,” he wrote alongside a photo of the singer.
A police source told the Guardian that local Dancehall artists are not being targeted by police officers, but criminal activities are “heavily being monitored by the police and law enforcement officers will respond accordingly if and when threatened by criminal elements.”
“Young people especially young men should take in mind who they have as friends and what being in their company entails if it involves illegal guns, drugs or taking part in any illegal activities because the police is working feverishly in going after criminal elements,” the source added.
In March 2021, 18-year-old Trinibad artist Brad Bailey (Bradbadlikethat) was shot and killed after allegedly issuing a threat to a gang. In July 2020, 26-year-old Dancehall artist Rebel Sixx, whose real name was Kyle Roberts, was killed after he was shot several times during a home invasion.