An argument over marijuana between two men ended in one of them being shot in both legs and while seeking medical treatment his problems worsened when he was arrested on a warrant for a gun-related incident.
Laumont Leacock, 24 of Betsy Ground, Canje, was reportedly shot in both legs by another man on Monday, during an argument over marijuana cultivation and police said yesterday that they were investigating the incident. In a statement, police said the incident occurred at about 2:30pm on Monday at Canje River, Berbice.
The statement said Leacock has since been admitted as a patient under guard at the New Amsterdam Hospital.
Stabroek News was told that Leacock arrived at the New Amsterdam Hospital on Monday night and when police were alerted about the gunshot injuries by hospital officials, they went to question him. He told the officers he worked as a farmer on a plantain farm and when it was time for payment, the man refused to give him cash and told him to instead accept a few pounds of marijuana. The two had an argument and he was shot in the process.
According to the police statement, an arrest warrant had been issued by the court for Leacock, who was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm on October 17, 2008.
He was placed on cash bail in the matter but had not been attending court. The warrant was recalled on January 20, 2010, as the court proceeded with an ex parte trial.
