Joint services patrols at Bamia, Linden-Soesdyke Highway and the Amelia’s Ward Highway have been suspended following the recent shooting of a Linden man at the Bamia blockade.
James Rondel Harding, 33, of First Alley, Wismar was on Sunday evening shot in his left upper thigh after he attempted to escape from a policeman who was conducting a search on him at a joint services roadblock. The injured man was discharged from the Linden Hospital Complex and is currently in custody at the Mackenzie Police Station.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that there are conflicting reports about the circumstances under which Harding was shot. According to reports, following the shooting and apprehension of Harding ranks went back to the scene the following day where they allegedly found packets containing 15 grammes of cocaine and 70 grammes of marijuana.
A recent press release from the police had stated that Harding was a passenger in a minibus that was stopped and searched at a joint services roadblock at Amelia’s Ward, on the Linden Highway.
Harding was searched and a Guyana passport which he had in his possession was being examined by one of the ranks when he snatched the document and began running away.
“He was pursued by two members of the joint services and subsequently shot in his leg and subdued,” the police press release had also stated adding that a search was conducted of the area where the man was shot and packets containing15 grammes of cocaine and 70 grammes of marijuana were found.
Harding should have appeared at the Christianburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday or yesterday but his appearance was delayed to allow the police to conduct their investigations.
