…commander says force was unaware of dispute between couple

COMMANDER of ‘D’ Division, Leslie James, has confirmed that woman constable, 21-year-old Shanice Fraser is on the road to recovery after being critically shot by her reputed lover Clement Cockfield, who killed himself during the ordeal on Tuesday night.

The couple was stationed at the La Grange Police Station, West Bank Demerara (WBD). They reportedly got into an argument at their workplace which led to Cockfield shooting Fraser several times before shooting himself.

Ranks who were on the scene reported that they ran to the young woman’s aid and it was then that Cockfield turned the gun on himself. The woman was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Reports indicated that prior to the incident, Fraser was allegedly abused on many occasions by Cockfield but the ‘D’ Division Commander said the force was unaware. He said that had they known, the couple would have been sent to separate stations.

James said the woman has nonetheless been gradually recovering but is still somewhat incapacitated because of clinical reasons. On the other hand, the ‘D’ Division Commander said a post-mortem examination revealed that Cockfield died from haemorrhage and shock due to the gunshot wounds under his chin and the left side of his head.

Though the incident reportedly went by quickly, it still left some officers who were present at the scene in trauma, so James has confirmed that they will undergo counselling.