A police constable managed to escape serious injury on Wednesday night following a shooting in St Ann’s, after a bullet from a bandit pierced his walkie-talkie.
The officer was treated at hospital and later discharged in a stable condition, although he was left nursing bruises.
Police said officers of the Joint Operations Task Force (JOTF) were on mobile patrol at 11.05 pm when they received a report that armed men were seen at Fondes Amandes, St Ann’s.
A party of officers, including PCs Mc Alister and Marshall, along with Lance Corporal George and Private Orosco responded.
Upon arrival, the lawmen spotted a group of men who ran towards a forested area and disappeared into the darkness.
As the officers chased after the men, one of the suspects opened fire on them. PC Mc Alister, who was wearing a bulletproof vest with a walkie-talkie attached, was hit.
Officers of the Port-of-Spain Task Force and the Inter-Agency Task Force responded and the area was searched but the assailants were not found. However, a loaded revolver was recovered.
PC Mc Alister was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, where he was treated for minor bruising on the left side of his torso under the left rib cage. He was later discharged.