– always wanted to be a policeman, father says
Twenty-year-old Constable Vickram Singh who was brutally slain on Friday night had only been stationed at the entrance to the Joint Services Scheme for two days and may have been shot at because he was in the way of a group of fleeing men.
Details on how the shooting occurred were still sketchy yesterday but several senior police officers said that at least one suspect has been identified and everything will be done to ensure he is captured.
Crime scene investigators later arrived and conducted further investigations.
According to one senior officer, it is unclear what exactly occurred in the moments leading up to the shooting but investigations are in progress. He said the police searched several houses, in and around the area, between Friday night and yesterday morning and persons were arrested. As this newspaper was proceeding to the Lamaha Springs area, two police vans with young men were speeding down Aubrey Barker Road. This newspaper was unable to ascertain if the arrests were linked to the killing.
One resident this newspaper approached recalled that she saw a group of men running towards the entrance of the scheme and at that moment Singh who was wearing his Khaki police uniform was coming out of a shop located across the road from the security hut. The woman said that seconds later she heard three gunshots and when she peeped up the road she saw the policeman lying on the roadway. Some of the men ran into the scheme while the others turned around and escaped through a cross street, she added.
The woman said that from all appearances the men had just committed a crime and were trying to escape when they came face to face with the policeman. Some in the area opined that the men in their state of panic opened fire on the rank, who was caught off-guard, and was unable to draw his weapon.
On Friday night, eyewitnesses had recounted that the officer was walking when he was approached by four men from behind. They said there was an exchange of words between the men and the officer, and one of them pulled out a gun and discharged four shots.
The resident this newspaper spoke with insisted that she saw the group running pass her home before the gunshots rang out. She did not say if the men had stopped and spoken to the rank.
Police in their press release just over two hours after the 8 pm incident had said that Constable 20740 Singh attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) was shot and killed during efforts to apprehend the perpetrator of an attempted robbery. The statement added that information was received that Singh observed the attempted robbery and responded when he was shot by an armed man who then ran away.
Despite efforts, this newspaper yesterday was unable to find the victim of the attempted robbery and ranks this newspaper spoke with were unable to identify that person. Residents too said that they were not aware of an attempted robbery in the area prior to the shooting.
At yesterday’s annual route march to mark the 171st anniversary of the force, the ranks present were applauded for their turnout in spite of the sad state that they are in.
‘His relief was late’
Singh’s parents, Nandkissoon and Nadira Singh travelled to the city yesterday to identify their son’s body at the Lyken Funeral Home. An emotional Nandkissoon told Stabroek News via telephone from his Number 48 Village Corentyne home that his son was shot near his navel, in the chest and in the mouth. He said that when he saw his son’s body he wept bitterly.
“He din always want to be a police, but ah din want him to do that. Ah don’t like it”, he said.
He recalled that Singh had spent several days at home and when he returned to the city he was removed from his post at Eve Leary and placed at Lamaha Springs. He said this would have been last Thursday.
Nandkissoon said he was told that at the time of the shooting, Singh was waiting on another rank who was late to relieve him.
“His relief was late… if he din come pon time he probably woulda be alive today,” he said struggling to hold back tears.
The man said that during his visit to Georgetown, he met senior officers who told him that the force would stand the expense for the wake and funeral. He said he is grateful for this assistance.
He recalled that between 10 and 10:30 Friday night a policeman called and informed him that Singh had been shot and that “he deh bad”. Shortly after, the policeman called back and said that he had died.
According to Nandkissoon, he spoke with his son late Friday afternoon and he appeared to be in good spirits. “He tell me everything good when ah ask he if he alright,” he added.
The sorrowing father said Singh was a good son who was always talking and laughing.
Singh also leaves to mourn two brothers.