A murder suspect with a gunshot injury to the leg overpowered his police guard at the San Fernando General Hospital, says the Police Service public information officer ASP Michael Pierre.
He said the suspect, who is wanted in connection with the shooting death of Michael Patterson and shooting of one of Patterson’s relatives, who is warded in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital nursing gunshot wounds to the head, “used the ruse of wanting to use the washroom and executed his escape plot.”
Pierre said he outwitted and overpowered the young officer who was keeping watch over him.
Since then police have increased security on the compound of the hospital.
Pierre said the Southern Division Police had launched a manhunt to recapture him.
Police are working on several theories for the murder of Patterson, as well as his cousin Alfredo Patterson, who was shot dead on King’s Wharf on Sunday and later died at the hospital.
One of the theories is that Patterson and the suspect had an altercation at a casino on Coffee Street recently. Micheal Patterson, 27, was shot dead last Friday around 4.30 pm on Mucurapo Street, San Fernando.
The suspect was shot by one of the dead man’s relative on Saturday during a shootout at his home.
Both men were injured in that shooting and taken to hospital.