An ex-policeman, armed with a toy gun, was on Wednesday evening shot while resisting arrest at Cummings Park, Sophia.
Randy Charles, 26, was shot in the left thigh. Up to last evening, he was in stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was due to undergo surgery.
Police had responded to a report that Charles was armed with a handgun in a house at ‘E’ Field Sophia, where he was threatening to kill Althea Smith.
In a statement, police said that on arrival at the scene, ranks saw Charles with the firearm in his hand. He was reportedly holding it to the head of Smith, 39. Later, according to police, during efforts to disarm and arrest him, he attacked one of the ranks and attempted to take away his firearm. A scuffle ensued between the policeman and Charles, during which a round was discharged and the suspect was wounded. According to the police, the “firearm” in Charles’ possession was found to be a toy gun.
At the scene of the incident, Smith’s brother said that around 8pm on Wednesday, Charles visited his Lot 1115 Cummings Park, Sophia home and made inquiries about another man who owed him money. The man stated that Charles entered the yard with what appeared to be a gun in his hand and insisted that he speak to the individual, who is an acquaintance of his sister, Althea Smith. Charles, however, later left the scene.
Smith’s brother, who noted that Charles is well known in the area, said he travelled to the Turkeyen Police station to lodge a report. He said that while making the report, a neighbour contacted him and informed that Charles had returned to his home and was ransacking it.
The young man said he alerted the police and along with the officers he travelled back to his home, where the he was greeted by the sight of Charles collaring his sister at gunpoint.
He said that the police called out to the man and he lunged towards the police ranks. A scuffle then ensued between the man and the police following which Charles was shot.
