Protesting residents of east Port-of-Spain stopped a garbage truck and commandeered the driver to dump its contents on the street on Monday.

The police killing of a man sparked the protest with some residents blocking roads with debris, and taunting police officers who fired shots in an attempt to bring the volatile face-off under control.

The protesters were incensed that the police had killed resident Akeil James, also known as “Christmas”. Officers say he died early on Monday in a shootout with police at Calvary Hill.

James was a suspect in the January 26 killing of prison officer Devendra Boodooram on the streets of Port of Spain.

A video posted on social media showed the residents surround a garbage truck and instructed the driver to deposit the garbage in the middle of the roadway.

Residents claimed that James was sleeping at his home when police entered and shot him dead.

“Everybody said he was a troubled child and recently came out of prison. He has a daughter and he is a changed. The police knocked on the door. He opened the door. They came in, put him to kneel and executed him. He was not a wanted man,” a resident said.

Residents claimed James had no weapon.

“If he was killed in a shootout with police why they didn’t leave the body here. They moved the body. This was witnessed by several people. It is overbearing. They are now threatening us. We are not leaving this,” the resident said.

Police maintained high presence in the area as residents continued to block several streets with debris.;

Observatory, Oxford, Piccadilly and Bath streets had to be cleared of garbage strewn by residents, police said.