3 men shot after Popcaan concert

Police believe two other men were also shot but up to news time they could not be located. They are calling on medical institutions to be on the lookout and report to police anyone seeking medical attention for gunshot wounds.

Police say the gun battle began shortly after a show featuring Jamaican artiste Popcaan ended at the San Fernando Hill. Reports say an altercation which had started on the Hill escalated into an exchange of gunfire along Mt Moriah road at about 7.30 am.

Socrates Ariste, 40, of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic was shot in the stomach while Anthony Ramsaran, 34, of Las Lomas, was shot in the face and Brandon Rampersad, 28, of Indian Walk in Moruga was shot in the right leg. All three are said to be in stable condition at hospital.

Ariste, police said was taken to the Princes Town District Health Facility where he told police he was from Palmyra on the outskirts of San Fernando. Upon further investigations, police realised he was one of the shooting victims from San Fernando. He was transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital, where he along with Ramsaran and Rampersad remain warded under police guard.

Police say they retrieved 15 rounds of ammunition from a person held after the shooting. He is expected to be charged with possession of ammunition.

Police said that a group of men was standing near a business place on Mt Moriah Road when there was an altercation with another group. Eyewitnesses told police that shots were fired causing others within the vicinity to scatter.

Cpl Emrith and other officers from the nearby San Fernando CID rushed to the scene following the shooting. Also on the scene yesterday were Snr Supt Cecil Santana, ASPs Mohammed and Barnett as well as Sgt Persad, members of the Southern Division Task Force, the Rapid Response Unit, Canine Unit and the Police Helicopter Unit. Cpl Emrith is continuing investigations.