Police constable shot at Aranka

The .38 ammunition that was found at the camp
The .38 ammunition that was found at the camp

A police constable was yesterday shot in his chest while trying to apprehend a Brazilian national who reportedly had an unlicensed firearm along with  ammunition.

According to the police, on Sunday morning, at Aranka Backdam, Cuyuni River, ranks received information that 54-year-old Francisco Lima De Aguilar had unlicensed firearms in his camp, which is located approximately two miles from the Aranka Police Station.

As a result, Constable Dwayne Barkley and Anthony Weeks along with Detective Constable Marvin Sam left the police station and went to De Aguilar’s camp on foot. When they arrived they identified themselves to the occupants of the camp and then proceeded to the sleeping quarters of the man, who the police said was lying in his bed at the time.

Francisco Lima De Aguilar

After De Aguilar noticed the ranks approaching, he allegedly drew a gun from beneath his pillow and discharged four rounds in the direction of the officers. As a result, one of the bullets hit Weeks in the left side of his chest and exited beneath his arm.

After the man opened fire on them, the ranks rushed to take cover, which resulted in De Aguilar escaping. A search of his camp unearthed 36 .38 rounds of ammunition and a suspected warhead that was found lodged in a fuel barrel.

Weeks was subsequently flown to Georgetown where he is currently a patient at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and is listed in a stable condition.

Seven workers who were at the camp at the time have been arrested and are in custody assisting with the investigation. Additional ranks have been dispatched to the location as the search for the suspect continues.