[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement on Friday (December 27) says it is investigating the shooting to death of 20 – year – old Godfrey Jaggroo of Bellevue, West Bank Demerara by the use of a licensed firearm owned by the Chairman of the Bellevue Community Policing Group.
Jaggroo was shot dead on Wednesday (December 18) at Bellevue.
According to the police, initial investigations revealed that Jaggroo was involved in an argument with his mother during which a man, who resides next door and operates an off license liquor store, intervened and assaulted him with a piece of wood.
Police further stated that Jaggroo was on his way to the Wales Police Station to make a report when he was confronted by three men, one of whom is a licensed firearm holder and was at the liquor store, during which he was shot to his back with a shotgun.
However, iNews upon investigation learnt that among the three men who are in police custody assisting with investigations was a Community Police Officer.
It is believed that the Officer along with the two other men tried to apprehend Jaggroo, who was behaving in a threatening manner when he decided to flee.
According to reports it was during this encounter that he was shot to his back by the community police officer
The Ministry of Home Affairs in the stated expressed profound regret at the death of Jaggroo.
According to the statement “Community Policing Group members are trained by the Police to engage members of their communities whenever breaches of the law are committed by such members, in a civil and polite manner.”
The Ministry added that training in the use of firearms is also given to the members, who are required to exercise restraint when armed, and must discharge a firearm in accordance with the rules governing such action.
The Ministry says it stands completely adamant against any form of unprofessional conduct that besmirches the image of Community Policing in Guyana. “The conduct demonstrated will be investigated with the expectation of having a satisfactory outcome.”
