THE Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) on Saturday said that they are looking into the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident involving three police officers based at the Lethem Police Station in Region Nine, and two wanted suspects, Cortland Jones, also known as ‘Buck’, and Rickford King, both of Aranaputa Valley, in the North Rupununi.
The shooting occurred on November 18 at around 12:30 hrs. in Pirara Village, Central Rupununi.

According to the OPR, they are also investigating the circumstances that led to Jones escaping from police custody at the Lethem Police Station.

The two suspects were wanted by the police for more than two years for a series of cattle larceny offences, while Jones was also wanted for the murder of Aeriey Matthews in October 2022.
It is alleged that on the day of the incident, police received information that the two suspects were seen riding a motorcycle on the Lethem-Kurupukari Trail. The suspects were confronted in Pirara Village, Central Rupununi, and when attempts were made to apprehend them, they attacked the ranks with two choppers.

The Inspector, who led the team, was chopped in the right hand. King was shot in the lower left hip, and Jones was shot in the left thigh.

Both men were eventually arrested and taken to the Lethem Regional Hospital and treated before being taken into police custody. While in custody, Jones was handcuffed to a wheelchair in the enquiries office due to his injuries, but he escaped at around 01:05 hrs on November 20.

“Three ranks are currently under close arrest, assisting with the investigation,” a statement from the Guyana Police Force noted.