Officer shot in chest during East Port of Spain gang attack

A police constable was shot in the chest on George Street, East Port of Spain, after gunmen fired on a marked police vehicle. A civilian was also wounded in the attack.

Police constable shot during East Port of Spain gang firefight

A police officer assigned to the Guard and Emergency Branch was struck in the chest by gunfire while on patrol in East Port of Spain at approximately 8.30 pm on July 22, newsday.co.tt reports.

PC Shakala Charles and a fellow officer were travelling in a marked police vehicle along George Street when they responded to a reported shooting on St Paul Street. Gunmen opened fire on the vehicle, hitting Charles — who was seated in the front passenger seat — with a bullet that penetrated the side of his bulletproof vest.

A civilian, identified as Keron George of East Dry River, was also wounded during the attack. Both were transported to the Port of Spain General Hospital, where Charles's colleagues donated blood for his emergency surgery.

Police located the vehicle used in the shooting — a seven-seater — abandoned a short distance from the scene. Multiple spent shells and an extended 9mm magazine were recovered from inside.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (intelligence and investigations) Suzette Martin addressed the incident, stating that officers put their lives at risk daily. "It is with a heavy heart the officer going about his daily duty was injured. He is okay and receiving medical attention," Martin said.

She described crime as "a public health emergency" and warned that authorities would not tolerate the escalation. "Crime is now a public health emergency — we are not going to accept that," Martin said, adding that "heavy arms" were deployed in the attack and that police would "respond for sure."

Scores of officers were deployed to the area following the shooting and a search for the attackers was under way.

Source: Google News TT — Port of Spain