More than two weeks after a police officer allegedly shot teenager Alex Griffith during a chase, the police have completed their investigation and the case file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
Commander of ‘A’ Division Clifton Hicken yesterday told Stabroek News that while the police await advice on the next step, the police officer remains on duty.
Griffith, 18, of North East La Penitence, was reportedly shot to his thigh around 5.15pm on February 11 after being chased by the police.
He had been riding along Freeman Street, East La Penitence on a motorcycle when a policeman, also on a motorcycle, began to chase after him. At the time, the teen did not have a licence and he was not wearing a helmet.
It is alleged that during the chase the officer fell off his motorcycle while making a turn and he then reportedly whipped out his service weapon and fired two shots, one of which struck Griffith to his left leg.
The teenager’s mother, Marcelle Griffith, had related to this newspaper that she is determined to get answers, while calling for a thorough investigation into the matter.
Griffith was shot before by the police. He was shot in his mouth allegedly by Police Officer Cadet Franz Paul, who was reportedly questioning him about a robbery committed on April 30, 2014, at Freeman Street, East La Penitence.
Paul was subsequently charged with discharging a loaded firearm at Griffith, with intent to maim, disfigure or cause bodily harm. That matter is still before the court.
