Latest update November 5th, 2024 1:00 AM
Policeman, bandit shot during botched robbery
– suspects posed as GPL workers
One of two men who claimed to be meter readers attached to the Guyana Power and Light Company has been hospitalised with a gunshot wound after shooting their victim during a robbery.
Reports are that 20-year-old Police Constable, Courtney Atkins was shot during a scuffle with two gunmen who attempted to rob him. The incident occurred some time around 11:00 hours yesterday at the Police Constable’s 1010 Norton Street and Cemetery Road home.
But during the incident one of the suspected gunmen, 24-year-old Roberto Carrington, was shot in the left leg.
There are conflicting reports about how the gunman was shot. One report was that the gunman shot himself accidentally and that the police officer was shot during a scuffle with the two gunmen.
A police report stated that the two gunmen entered Atkins’s home after requesting a drink of water. As they entered the house the rank observed one of them pulling out a firearm and he managed to hold on to him. A scuffle ensued during which rounds were discharged from the firearm, hitting Atkins and the other bandit who was in the house. According to the police, the gunmen managed to take away two gold chains and two gold rings from their victim.
The injured gunman Roberto Carrington
Meanwhile, over in Norton Street where the incident occurred, residents claim that the two men were seen in the area the day before.
One woman said the men were at a near by shop and even indicated that they were in the area to read meters.
According to the woman, she was tending to her baby when she heard at least two loud explosions and suspected that they were gunshots. Moments later she recalled seeing two men running from a yard. The woman said that the men were neatly dressed and equipped with pen and note pads.
“De next thing I know when I peep over in de yard I see Courtney bleeding and saying he get shoot,’ the woman said. She said moments after the incident the police arrived on the scene and were seen following a trail of blood. A little distance from where the incident occurred one of the injured gunmen was found hiding in a bushy plot of land.
Police also say a .22 pistol was also recovered not far from where in incident occurred.
Meanwhile, the injured police rank was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated and then taken to St Joseph Mercy Hospital.
On the other hand, the injured gunman after being caught was taken to the Brickdam Police Station before being taken to the hospital.
When he arrived at the hospital he seemed remorseful about the incident.
The injured Carrington said, “Is something really stupid I get caught up in.” He said that he was sorry but because of his current situation he was forced to “go pon de wuk”.
“I recently link up with Black Boy (the other suspect). Is he set me up,” Carrington said.
According to the injured man, he has never done something this drastic in his lifetime but was forced to do so because of his ailing one-year-old son.
When asked what prompted him to do the robbery he replied “Go up in de ward and ask fuh Akon Smith. He is meh son and he got to do a surgery and me ain’t got money.”
Hospital officials were able to confirm that the injured gunman has an ailing son at the same hospital. Carrington said he does construction work for a living but for the past few months he has not been able to secure any work.
“Look at me belly; me ain’t eat fuh days” Carrington said.
Carrington was subsequently admitted and remains under police guard at the hospital.
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