Tacama shooting stemmed from breach of Force Policies – GDF

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) says that investigations into the accidental discharge of a weapon on May 18 by one of its officers causing injuries to himself and a recruit has shown that the incident was a direct result of a breach of force policies.

Vernon Harding
Vernon Harding
Othneil Hope
Othneil Hope

The shooting occurred at the Colonel John Clarke Military School at Tacama, Berbice.

Yesterday, the GDF said that investigations have revealed that the incident was a direct result of a breach of Force Policies, “paramount among them, those in relation to the carriage of a Service pistol and its handling in the presence of Recruits”.

The Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips has met with the relatives of the recruit, RCT Harding who is recovering from his injuries at the GDF’s medical facility at Base Camp Ayanganna, along with Lt Othneil Hope.

The GDF said that the findings and recommendations from the Board of Inquiry are now being studied for possible initiation of disciplinary actions.

The GDF said it wished to assure the nation, particularly the families of current recruits that this was an isolated incident and “there is no threat to life or limb of their loved ones who are on our training bases.”