A policeman is dead and his colleague and lover is in a critical condition after a shooting at the La Grange Police Station, West Bank Demerara last night.
Dead is Police Constable 22834 Clement Cockfield, who according to reports shot Woman Constable 23464 Shanice Fraser at around 10 pm yesterday before turning the weapon on himself.
Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Shivpersaud Bacchus confirmed to Stabroek News last night that Cockfield died while Fraser is in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Reports reaching this newspaper are that the two officers shared a relationship and the shooting occurred during an argument.
The Police today issued the following press release:
Investigation commenced last night into the shooting at the La Grange Police Station, West Bank Demerara, about 20:30hrs where Police Constable 22834 Clement Cockfield (now deceased) who was armed with a service revolver and on duty discharged several rounds at Woman Police Constable 23464 Shanice Fraser of the said station and then turned the firearm on himself.
Woman Constable Fraser is in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, with gunshot wounds to the upper body, while Police Constable Cockfield was pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital with a gunshot wound to his head.
The two (2) Constables allegedly had an on and off relationship, which went soured. They performed duties on different shifts at the station.
Initial investigation further revealed that Constable Fraser had just completed a tour of duty, while Constable Cockfield reported for anti-crime patrol duty. In the process he uplifted a service revolver with six (6) rounds.
A few minutes after, Fraser and Cockfield were seen on the stairway of the station and loud explosions were heard, thereafter Constable Fraser ran down the stairs into the compound and was observed bleeding profusely.
She was assisted by ranks on duty but Constable Cockfield pursued her and continued to discharge rounds at her, she ran and collapsed.
Thereafter, despite being cautioned by colleagues, who pleaded with him, he turned the firearm on himself.
Investigation is continuing.
Shivpersaud Bacchus
Superintendent of Police
Public Relations and Press Officer
Guyana Police Force
