As the police probe into the alleged beating of Rasville teen, Shamar Tanner continues, three ranks have been placed under close arrest, Commander of ‘A’ Division Marlon Chapman said.
Tanner, 19, a labourer attached to John Fernandes Limited sustained severe injuries to his face and lost several teeth during the incident which occurred around 7 pm last Friday.
He had alleged that he was assaulted by lawmen, resulting in his hospitalization.
Michelle Nieuenkerk, the injured teen’s aunt had said Tanner was standing at the corner of America Street, where he was about to light “a joint” and he noticed the police approaching.
As a result, Nieuenkerk said, Tanner ran and was allegedly chased by the ranks, who severely beat him to his face with a gun while asking for the cigarette. Tanner lost consciousness and was picked up and taken to the hospital.
The police had initially denied any of its ranks were involved in the incident. Instead, they had said that his injuries were inflicted by a man who has since been identified and is being sought.
Police spokesman Jairam Ramlakhan, in a press statement on Monday had said that around 8 pm on Friday, police ranks conducting a foot patrol on America Street, Georgetown observed the suspicious actions of Tanner, who upon being approached, ran in an eastern direction. “During the process of running away, a male who has since been identified and is currently being sought reportedly hurled a piece of iron at Tanner, which struck him in the face, resulting in his injuries,” Ramlakhan noted.
He emphasised that members of the force did not have any physical contact with Tanner at any point apart from escorting him to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
However, Tanner’s relatives have said that based on what he related to them, he was not taken to the hospital by the police but by a minibus driver and conductor who are known to him.
Nieuenkerk had told Stabroek News that the police visited Tanner on Monday in a bid to obtain a statement but his relatives refused to permit them to take it.
However, Chapman yesterday said that a statement has not yet been obtained from Tanner since investigators are awaiting clearance from his doctors.
