After his attacker’s gun failed to fire, a San Fernando Fraud Squad detective was shot with his own gun while fighting for his life on Monday night.
Cpl Errol Lewis remained warded in a stable condition at the San Fernando General Hospital up to last night as police ramped up patrols in search of his attacker.
An alert was issued to the health care institutions to report anyone seeking treatment for a gunshot wound as it appeared his attacker also was shot.
A report stated that Lewis had just arrived at his Tarouba home around 8.15 pm and as he entered his property the gunman, who was believed to be waiting for him, approached.
Lewis told police he heard the dogs barking and later saw the man walking towards him with a gun pointed at him.
The gunman pulled the trigger twice but luckily for Lewis it failed to fire. When he pulled out is licensed, personal firearm, the gunman jumped on him and they began to fight. He was able to fire a shot which struck him on the hand before hitting his attacker.
The report said Lewis fell to the ground and his attacker ran to the back of the house and climbed over a wall.
Lewis was taken to the hospital where he underwent emergency treatment.
Southern Division police, including Supt Phillip, Insp Bhagwandeen, Insp Knutt, Insp Persad and Cpl Ramdial, visited the scene and co-ordinated a search for the suspect.
No motive was given for the shooting yesterday but investigators are trying to determine if the attack was related to his work. Sgt Hajaree is continuing inquiries.
In the last six months, several police officers were shot and killed. They include:
• PC Russel Ramnarine, 24, who was gunned down along with University of the West Indies student Avery Keshwar at Aranguez Road on December 14.
• PC Govindra Roopnarine, 25, who was allegedly accidentally shot by a colleague at the Guapo Police Station on November 5.
• PC Montgomery Guy, 49, who was shot in the head at Agra Street, St James, on October 4.
•PC Sherman Maynard, 27, who was shot during a prison break at the Port-of-Spain jail on July 24.