THE police are investigating the circumstances surrounding an incident at Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, in which a rural constable was shot in the lower back on Friday night.
The incident reportedly occurred around 23:30hrs and the constable attached to the Brickdam Police Station has since been admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

An investigation revealed that a resident of Laing Avenue had an unapproved entertainment activity in the community and a 22-year-old painter of Independence Boulevard went with a ‘drinks cart’ to sell there, but was denied permission by a Joint Services lance corporal.

The corporal was reportedly providing security for the event.
The denial resulted in an argument between the painter and the lance corporal and the latter allegedly dealt the other a chop to his left arm with a cutlass.
On seeing what had happened, a group of irate persons charged the lance corporal and began to attack him.

The rural constable, who was nearby, stepped in, rescued the corporal and placed him in a motorcar. As he was about to drive off, he was shot in the back by someone in the group.
Both men were rushed to the GPHC. The rural constable underwent emergency surgery and is currently in a stable condition, while the other was treated and sent away. He was later taken into custody and is assisting with the investigation.

The painter who was also admitted to the GPHC was later discharged.
The Joint Services vehicle which was driven by the rural constable was left at the scene when he was taken to hospital, but it was later discovered in a trench on Laing Avenue when the police revisited the scene.