PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

A senior police officer has been held after he allegedly shot and killed a pastor in a love triangle in Arima, east of here on Sunday.

Police said that the unidentified officer who is also an executive member of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Association was arrested at the Mount Hope Medical Complex on Sunday night.

The officer who has more than 20 years' service is reported to have shot Brian Pierre, 40, seven times after he became enraged when he found his girlfriend, who is also a police officer, sitting in the front seat of a car with the founder and senior elder of Living Kingdom Christian Centre.

Domestic dispute

Public relations officer with the Trinidad and Tobago police, Wendy Campbell, said that the incident stemmed from a domestic dispute.

"The facts surrounding the incident suggest that it was a domestic situation gone sour. Acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert, and, by extension, the entire Police Service, deeply regrets the death of Mr Pierre," Campbell said in a statement.

She said that the suspect had been held after the police launched a dragnet throughout the country.

"He is also said to be in good health," Campbell added.

The officer is expected to appear in court later this week.