A constable in the Tactical Service Unit was fatally shot while trying to apprehend a robber in Lamaha Springs last evening.
Police Constable 20740 Vickram Singh, said to be in his 20s, was on duty at the entrance of the Joint Services Housing Scheme around 8pm when he observed the attempted robbery and responded. He was shot by an armed man who then ran away.
Singh, originally from the Corentyne, was rushed to the nearby Davis Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed while receiving treatment. Singh sustained three gunshot wounds to his lower abdomen, below his left collar bone area and in the mouth. Police said last night that the force will be relentlessly pursuing the attacker or attackers responsible.
According to eyewitness accounts, the officer was seen walking when he was approached by four men from behind. There was an exchange of words between the men and the officer when one of them pulled what looked to be a handgun and discharged four shots at close range.
The eyewitness, who was visibly shaken, said that when the first shot was heard she sought cover. All the while the woman said she tried calling 911 but would not get through. When there was an ease in gunfire, the woman said that she chanced a look and saw the officer lying on the ground. But before anything could be done she said she and two others who were there at the time went back into hiding after they noticed one of the four men returning. Another eyewitness, meanwhile, said that after the shooting the four men split into two and headed in different directions.
Singh, according to a senior police officer, was placed in the area to do security work after a spate of robberies. The hut at which the officer was stationed was positioned at the entrance of the scheme.
In a statement issued last evening, police said patrol in the vicinity had given chase in the direction the assailant was suspected to have gone. Several houses were searched but police were unable to locate the perpetrators. The police release said that Singh’s service firearm and communication set were intact.
Police urged members of the public who may have information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrator or perpetrators to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-2227, 225-6941, 227-1149, 226-7065, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with strict confidence, police said.
