Accidental shooting at Tacama: one soldier discharged from hospital

Vernon Harding

One of the two Guyana Defence Force ranks who were shot at the Colonel John Clarke Military School at Tacama on Sunday has been released from the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

Vernon Harding
Vernon Harding

Lieutenant Othneith Hope of Victoria, East Coast Demerara, according to sources, was released from GPH on Sunday night and is currently at Camp Ayangana.

RCT Vernon Harding, 21, of East La Penitence, who was also shot once to the arm but was injured to the abdomen as well, after the bullet exited his arm and penetrated his abdomen is still hospitalized.

This newspaper was told by his mother Vanetta Harding, that up to late yesterday afternoon, he was still at the GPH recovery room following his surgery late Sunday night.

According to reports, the two men were injured after a firearm was accidentally discharged.

However, Harding’s family members who said they were told by GDF officials that Harding shot himself expressed disbelief in this theory.