Police Complaints Authority (PCA) head David West says the authority has to rely on witness statements to determine the outcome of an investigation of a shooting by an off-duty police officer two weeks ago.
West told the T&T Guardian that the authority’s independent investigation into the April 3 incident is currently ongoing but there is no Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage of the shooting.
“We interviewed certain persons but we have not completed the investigation, it is still ongoing,” West said. “We have taken statements and we did interview certain civilians. But we have no CCTV footage, it (CCTV) wasn’t working, it stopped working about two weeks before.”
“We now have to rely on the statements of the witnesses.”
He said the authority have not yet interviewed the victim, Franklyn Lewis, who remains warded at the San Fernando General Hospital.
“As soon as we can get a statement from the man (Lewis) we can then put things together, the investigation is supposed to be finished by the end of April.”
On April 3, Lewis was at an NP Quick Shoppe along the SS Erin Road, Debe, when he got into an altercation with the officer, who is attached to the Criminal Gang and Intelligence Unit (CGIU). Police reports stated Lewis slapped the officer, pushed him to the ground and began walking towards him with a glass bottle.
The officer then reportedly took out his firearm and shot Lewis repeatedly.
Lewis was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where he underwent multiple emergency surgeries to remove the eight bullets from his body.
Yesterday, his uncle Tyrone Clarke once again called for justice for his nephew.
“I find like the police are not taking this investigation seriously, they haven’t done anything yet,” Clarke said.
He said several of Lewis’ wounds have become infected and he has to undergo reconstructive surgery to one of his feet.
“The doctors say he will be in the hospital for at least a six weeks again,” he said.
Contacted yesterday, head of Corporate Communications at the TTPS Ellen Lewis said the investigation is still ongoing.
“That is a matter that will not conclude just yet, it is still ongoing,” Lewis said.
Acting Supt Nazrudeen Pragg of the Southern Division is continuing investigations.