Armed bandits this morning stormed the Ramada Princess Casino on the East Bank.
Four persons were shot and one bandit captured.
The attack which occurred at 3.45 am saw armed bandits storm the business place demanding cash and other valuables. During the raid five persons were injured including a police officer and an employee. One bandit was held as the attackers attempted to escape. CCTV footage is presently being reviewed. The amount of money stolen is still to be determined. Investigations are ongoing.
The attack on the branded hotel will be seen as a grave escalation in crime particularly in light of the approaching independence celebrations with thousands expected to return and stay at hotels like the Princess.
The police this morning issued the following release:
About 0345h. today Friday April 29, 2016, four men armed with firearms entered the casino of the Princess Hotel, Providence, EBD, discharged rounds into the air and held up the security guard on duty and took away his shotgun and ammunition.
The men then ordered everyone to lie on the ground and took the security guard to the cashier cage where they held up the cashier and took away an undisclosed sum of foreign and local currency.
During this, the perpetrators discharged rounds indiscriminately resulting in four employees Eon Garraway, James Gregory, Orlando Knights and Udairan Sookraj receiving injuries to their left hand, left foot, left hand and right hand, respectively. They have been admitted to hospital.
Three patrons Melissa Ferguson, Jermaine Mason and Roshel Fraser were also assaulted by the men during the incident.
Police ranks responded to a report received and confronted the perpetrators at the hotel where there was an exchange of gunfire which resulted in Police Lance Corporal Andrew Richardson of Impact Base, Brickdam, being shot to his abdomen. He has been admitted to hospital.
One of the suspects has been arrested and the firearm that was taken away from the security guard was recovered. His three accomplices managed to escape.
Investigations are in progress.
