The 32 -year-old Santa Cruz man who threatened to kill a 17-year-old MIC Institute of Technology (MIC-IT) student during a stand-off with police on Monday has been charged with five offences arising out of the incident and is to be taken before an Arima magistrate today.
The charges include possession of a firearm to endanger life, possession of ammunition to endanger life, shooting with intent, false imprisonment and common assault.
The charges were laid by ASP Edwards and Cpl Ramdeen of the Arima CID.
Police reported that the Gasparillo Road, Santa Cruz suspect and a 20-year-old female trainee were dropped of at MIC’s O’ Meara, Arima campus by a taxi driver. After the 32-year-old man and the woman made their way into the campus, the taxi driver came out his vehicle and told security the duo was arguing in the vehicle and the man had threatened to kill her. Police were contacted and officers from Arima, Malabar CID and La Horquetta immediately responded. However, when they arrived the man began shooting at them. He then ran into the campus hall and grabbed the teenager, who at the time had on headphones and did not realise what was taking place. After 10 minutes the man eventually surrendered to police.
Investigating officers Edwards and Ramdeen got instructions from the DPP before laying the charges yesterday.
RALPH BANWARIE