A man who was shot in the abdomen by a police rank was today remanded to prison after being slapped with two firearm-related matters.
Twenty-nine-year-old Kevin Bruce appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts.
The first charge stated that on September 26, 2019, at East LaPenitence, Police Station, he had in his possession 10 live rounds of .32 ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licensed enforced at the time.
It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, he had in his possession one .32 Taurus pistol when he was not the holder of a firearm licensed enforced at the time.
Bruce pleaded guilty with explanation to the charges.
Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris stated that on the day in question, around 00:10 hrs a party of policemen from the East LaPenitence Police Station acting on information went to the residence of a Police Sergeant who is currently on vacation overseas.
The court heard that officers saw the defendant exiting through the door with a haversack on his back.
The officers approached the defendant and he began to run. The said officer then apprehended the defendant and took him to the East LaPenitence Police Station.
At the station, an officer observed the defendant placing his hands in the crotch of his pants. The then pulled out a fireman and pointed same to the officer.
The officer, being fearful for his life, pulled out his service pistol and shot the defendant to his abdomen.
Hence, the defendant was charged for the offences.
However, a teary Bruce had a totally different story about what transpired.
In his explanation to the court, he stated,” A man gave me the gun because he was recently robbed and I was hired to take care of his home. I was in the yard when I saw the three persons and I thought they were bandits so I ran.”
He added, ”as soon as I reach the station, I told the police officers I had the gun in my crotch and he still shot me. He was going to kill me because he kept asking his colleagues if the cameras were working. Is pray I had to pray to God to protect me.”
The Magistrate, after listening to both sides, ordered that a probation report is submitted and she will sentence him on October 14.
