A man, who was shot in the abdomen by a police rank, was today sentenced to two years imprisonment on two firearm-related charges.
The sentencing was handed down by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts.
Twenty-nine-year-old Kevin Bruce had pleaded guilty with an explanation to the charges on October 7, 2019, and his sentencing was deferred awaiting a probation report.
However, this morning, when the matter was called, the Magistrate handed down the custodial sentence upon Bruce after reading the probation report
The first charge stated that on September 26, 2019, at East LaPenitence Police Station, he had in his possession 10 live rounds of .32 ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licensed enforced at the time.
It was further alleged that on the same day, and at the same location, he had in his possession one .32 Taurus pistol when he was not the holder of a firearm licensed enforced at the time.
Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris stated that on the day in question, around 00:10 hrs a party of policemen from the East LaPenitence Police Station, acting on information, went to the residence of a police Sergeant who is currently on vacation overseas.
The court heard that officers saw the defendant exiting through the door with a haversack on his back.
The officers approached the defendant and he began to run. The said officer then apprehended the defendant and took him to the East LaPenitence Police Station.
At the station, an officer observed the defendant placing his hands in the crotch of his pants.
He then pulled out a fireman and pointed it to the officer.
The officer, being fearful for his life, pulled out his service pistol and shot the defendant to his abdomen.
Hence, the defendant was charged for the offences.
However, a teary Bruce, on his first court appearance, had a totally different story about what transpired.
In his explanation to the court, he stated,” A man gave me the gun because he was recently robbed and I was hired to take care of his home. I was in the yard when I saw the three persons and I thought they were bandits so I ran.”
He added, ”As soon as I reach the station, I told the police officers I had the gun in my crotch and he still shot me. He was going to kill me because he kept asking his colleagues if the cameras were working. Is pray I had to pray to God to protect me.”
