Cop shot during bid to rescue moonlighting soldier

A rural constable stationed at the Brickdam Police Station is currently hospitalised after he was shot on Friday night as he was rendering assistance to a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank, who was injured while providing security at an event in Laing Avenue, Georgetown.
Constable Bradley Sampson, 28, of Eccles, East Bank Demerara, sustained a single gunshot wound to his back. He underwent emergency surgery and is now a patient in a stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
One person has since been taken into custody in connection with the shooting.
The shooting reportedly occurred around 11.30 pm.
Sunday Stabroek was told that Sampson was shot after he placed a GDF Lance Corporal, who was chopped during an argument, into his vehicle and was about to drive off.
According to a police press statement on the shooting, a Laing Avenue resident had an unapproved entertainment activity in the community and a 22 year-old painter, of Independence Boulevard, went with a “drinks cart” to sell at the event.
The painter was, however, denied permission by the soldier.
As a result, an argument ensued between the painter and the soldier, who dealt the former a chop to his left arm with a cutlass, the statement said.
Police said a group of irate persons then reportedly attacked and assaulted the soldier and Sampson intervened, placing him in his car.
After the shooting, both Sampson and the soldier were rushed to the hospital. While Sampson was admitted, the soldier was treated and discharged.
The painter, who was also injured, was admitted but later discharged.
Sampson’s vehicle was later discovered in a trench in the Laing Avenue area.