A 40-year-old man is expected to appear virtually before a Master of the High Court today after being charged Thursday morning with possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
Franklyn Etienne, a farmer, of St Ann’s Road, St Ann’s, was arrested on March 13th and later charged by PC Blades, of the Port-of-Spain Division Task Force (PoSDTF), who continued investigations into the seizure of a Luger Pistol with 17 rounds of nine-millimetre ammunition that allegedly occurred yesterday along St Ann’s Road, St Ann’s.
According to police reports, at 6.45 pm, PoSDTF police officers responded to a report of a group of men armed with firearms in the vicinity of a bar along the said roadway.
Upon arrival, police conducted a search of three male suspects. During the search, a 40-year-old man was allegedly found to be in possession of the firearm and ammunition. He was arrested and taken to the Besson Street Police Station pending further enquiries.
In a separate incident, in proximity of the alleged find, another man, with no connection with the other group, was shot in his left ankle by police in an accidental discharge.
Police immediately rendered aid and rushed the injured man to hospital where he was medically examined and treated.
Senior Superintendent (Ag.), Port-of-Spain Division, Harripersad Ramnarine, promptly appointed Superintendent (Ag.) Nanan to conduct an investigation into the matter, in keeping with the standard operating procedures of police-involved shootings.
Meanwhile, Snr Supt (Ag.) Ramnarine, is wishing the injured man a speedy recovery and discloses that police officers continue their duty of care with regular welfare checks and visits throughout his recovery period.