-suspect escapes

The morning serenity of North Ruimveldt was shattered yesterday when police discharged a volley in a desperate bid to capture a man who had allegedly shot at them before scaling a fence and escaping into Lamaha Park.

Policemen at the Lot 2442 Cul-de-Sac house yesterday

The man reportedly dropped his .45 pistol and several rounds during the commotion. It is unclear what the man was wanted for but minutes before the incident ranks had converged on a house at Lot 2442 Cul-de-Sac Street and after conducting a search found him at the back of the yard. On seeing the police he reportedly discharged two rounds at them before dropping his weapon and fleeing.

Efforts by this newspaper to contact senior police officers on the incident were unsuccessful. Up to press time last evening, the man was still at large. Three young women including one with a baby and two boys were taken into custody for questioning.

When Stabroek News visited the area just after 10:30 am, residents were bewildered over the entire incident. No one recalled seeing the police, who were heavily armed chasing anyone.

Residents were tightlipped and stressed that all they heard was rapid gunfire and when they looked out they saw the police.

Pastor Neilford Chase said that at the time of the shooting he was on his way to visit a young woman at the home, who is a member of his church.

According to him, he saw a police vehicle pass him and this was followed by gunshots. The man could not say what was happening. He like other residents did not recall seeing the person the police were firing at.

He said that he doubted that that man was related to those living at the Cul-de-Sac Street house.

A resident recalled that just before 10:30 am she heard gunshots and when she looked out she saw two pick-ups with policemen speeding by.

Upset

Residents living in the area where the shooting occurred were upset when Stabroek News visited yesterday. One woman said “look how much shot they been licking and yet them ain’t catch nobody. Just imagine that”. Another resident said that he heard rapid gunfire and immediately told the occupants of his home to “hit the floor” since he did not know what was happening. Other residents looked for the nearest piece of furniture to hide under or behind. Stabroek News was told that there were three bursts of rapid gunfire about 2 to 3 minutes apart. After the man fled, from all appearances the police attempted to surprise him by running down a dam that separated the community from Lamaha Park. It was believed that he had scaled fences and had ended up there. A resident nearby recalled seeing a number of uniformed and plainclothes policemen, all of whom were armed, running past her house. She said that the police were in that area which is swampy and bushy, shooting for several minutes before coming back out to a bridge which links the two communities. There is a belief that the man concealed himself in a bushy part of the dam.

Police investigations are continuing.