Cops shoot man dead

Avindesh Saransingh, 19, was shot to death after he allegedly attacked and beat a policeman with the hand-butt of a gun.

According to a police report, at about 2 am, the owner of Double Savers Supermarket — via a closed circuit camera — saw three men breaking into the business place at Calcutta No 2 in Freeport. He contacted Freeport Police Station and a team of officers responded.

Upon arriving at the supermarket, police officers reportedly went to the back of the building and spotted the three armed men one of whom included Saransingh. On seeing the officers, the men opened fire before running off. Reports are that the police officers gave chase with PC Mohammed later cornering Saransingh.

Police sources said that Saransingh tried to grab Mohammed’s service pistol while hitting the officer on the head with his (Saransingh) own gun.

Officers said when Mohammed slumped to the ground from the blows to his head, Saransingh tried to throw the officer into a nearby pond and at this time, the other officers gave up the chase for the two other suspects and ran to Mohammed’s assistance.

Sources said that as Saransingh tried to force an unconscious Mohammed’s head into the water, he was shot in the chest by the other officers. Both Mohammed and Saransingh were rushed to the Couva Health Facility where Saransingh was pronounced dead-on-arrival while Mohammed was treated for a large gash to his head, which required 20 stitches. The other two suspects managed to escape and up to last night, a manhunt was in progress.

When Newsday visited Saransingh’s relatives at Uquire Road in Freeport they all appeared to be in a state of shock but one of them admitted that Saransingh had began to follow bad company. “I just don’t believe he would do such a thing. When we heard he was involved in a robbery. I just didn’t think it was him, but then I know he used to follow bad company,” stated Saransingh’s cousin Navita Saransingh.

Saying that she loved Saransingh like a brother, Navita added, “We were very close. I still can’t believe it. I don’t know why he let friends lead him astray.” She said Saransingh had already built the foundation of his home located nearby and talked about plans to purchase a vehicle. Saransingh’s uncle Narine said that early yesterday morning police visited the family home to bring news of Saransingh’s death.

Superintendent Johnny Abraham yesterday commended the police officers for their bravery as they confronted the armed burglars. He said this shows how police officers put their lives at risk to protect members of the public.