Fisherman shot in head by Coast Guard

Shazard Mohammed, 25, is in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital and his prognosis is poor. Two teen eyewitnesses to the shooting incident, aged 14 and 17, were interviewed by officers at the Port-of-Spain CID yesterday. They were accompanied by Justice of the Peace Krishna Ramkissoon.

Relatives and friends of Mohammed, who gathered outside the Port-of-Spain CID yesterday, awaiting the two eyewitnesses to the incident, described the victim as a quiet person who fished and sold doubles and pies at his home to support his family.

One of the eyewitnesses told Sunday Newsday’ “We were fishing when we saw a black unmarked boat with men approaching.”

He said they thought the men were pirates and broke anchor and attempted to move out of the area.

“We heard the men in the black boat saying, ‘Stop, stop, Coast Guard’,” he said, adding that they then pulled up behind their fishing boat and tried to switch off the engine.

When Mohammed intervened, he was shot in the head and shoulders at point blank range.

The shooter later identified himself as a Coast Guard officer.

Mohammed was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. He has not regained consciousness since being warded.

His wife, Nalini Ramkissoon Mohammed, was yesterday anxiously awaiting word on her husband’s condition. Officers of the Port-of-Spain CID are continuing investigations.