Interdicted Cadet Officer Franz Paul, who was cleared just three months ago of the shooting of a teen boy, is now back in custody for allegedly threatening to shoot his reputed wife with an unlicensed firearm during a misunderstanding at their Alexander Village, home this morning, the Guyana Police Force has said.
Police spokesman Jairam Ramlakhan, in a press statement, confirmed that Paul was taken into custody at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he went to seek medical attention for an injury he sustained during the incident, which occurred around 5.15 am at the couple’s Second Street, Alexander Village home.
Ramlakhan also said Paul has admitted ownership of the unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
He noted that Paul’s reputed wife alleged to the police that he drew a loaded firearm and threatened to shoot her during a misunderstanding between them.
The woman, however, managed to disarm Paul.
“…Immediately thereafter she handed over the firearm to a neighbour who promptly went to the nearby Ruimveldt Police Station, reported the matter and handed over a .32 pistol with thirteen (13) live rounds, one of which was found in its breech,” the statement explained.
Paul reportedly injured his hand after punching a concrete wall and he subsequently journeyed to the hospital, where he was arrested. “He (Paul) told investigators that during the fracas, he struck the hand to a concrete wall,” the statement added.
Paul’s hand is now in a cast.
On May 21st of this year, Paul, who had been on trial for the on April 30th, 2014 shooting of a then 15-year-old Alex Griffith, had the charge against him dismissed after an agreement to pay a total of $2 million in compensation to the youth.
Although charged two months after the shooting, his trial lasted for almost years.
The police statement noted that he is presently not on actual duty as the decision regarding his reinstatement rests with the Police Service Commission.
