Tunapuna man shot in gunfire exchange with police

A TUNAPUNA man was shot and wounded by the police during an exchange of gunfire on Maingot Street, Tunapuna, late Wednes-day evening, police said. The 23-year-old man was treated and discharged from the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) and was up to late evening in police custody at the Tunapuna   Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Police said the man is facing at least nine charges ranging from firearm and ammunition possession, possession of firearm and ammunition to endanger lives, shooting with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and simple possession of marijuana.  He is expected to appear before a Tunapuna magistrate today to answer the charges. After the shootout, police sources said they found and seized a .38 revolver along with three live rounds of ammunition and two spent shells. A further search of the man revealed a small quantity of marijuana.  Police were also expected to search his home yesterday. Lawmen said the man has a criminal record for firearm and narcotic offences.

Reports are that around 5.45 pm, officers of the Tunapuna CID received certain information after which a party of officers under Cpl Baptiste and including PCs Stevenson, Mitchell and Shepherd went to Upper Second Street, off Maingot Street, Tunapuna. Police said the officers saw a man and shouted for him to stop. The man then reportedly pulled out a firearm and fired two shots at the officers. The officers returned fire and the man received a bullet to his upper right thigh. The wounded man was first taken to the Arima Health Facility and then transferred to the Port-of-Spain Hospital where he spent the night in Ward 54 under police guard but was discharged yesterday morning. Investigations are being spearheaded by Assistant Commissioner of Police (East) Nazamul Hosein, Supt Leon Anthony, ASP Fitzroy Frederick and Acting Sgt Ramrattan Jugmohan of the Northern Division.