Guard shoots naked man

A NAKED man was allegedly shot in the abdomen Monday night by a Sentinel security guard, who claimed in a statement to the police that he was dealt some blows by the same man, police sources said yesterday.

The naked man, who is said  to be mentally unstabled, is warded at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) in a stable condition. He was one of two people shot in separate incidents Monday night, the other victim being 30-year-old PH driver Ronald Matura, who also is warded at the same institution. Reports are that around 11.09 pm, the plain clothes Sentinel security guard was on duty at the NP Service Station, Eastern Main Road, Laventille. The security guard said he saw a naked man running towards him and began “swinging some blows” at him. The security officer told police that he drew his service revolver and shot the naked man once in his abdomen. Police were notified and a party of officers from the Besson Street Police Station visited the scene and took the victim to the city hospital.

In the other shooting incident, police said around 10.15 pm, Matura was working his PH taxi along Quarry Street, Laventille. Matura was approached by four men, one of whom was armed with a firearm. Matura was robbed of $8 then ordered into the rear seat of his vehicle.  One of the four men then took possession of Matura’s vehicle. Police said the men  drove to the Gonzales area, where Matura attempted to escape by fighting with the gunman who was seated in the front passenger seat. As a consequence, police said the vehicle stopped and Matura jumped out.  While running, Matura heard a loud explosion then felt a burning sensation to the upper right side of his back. A report was made and Matura was taken to the hospital by officers of the Besson Street Police Station, who are continuing enquiries into both shootings. Matura is reported to be in stable condition.