Officer in critical condition after shooting during operation

A police officer is warded in a critical condition after he was shot during a police operation last night.

PC Charles was part of a team of officers from the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB) who were responding to a report of a shooting along St Paul Street in Port of Spain.

Police were told that around 9pm, a 26-year-old Diego Martin man was driving his silver Mazda 323 car out of a carpark when he noticed two gunmen dressed in black standing on the street. The suspects shot at the driver before entering a silver Suzuki Landy.

The police were notified and officers from the GEB responded.

While on patrol along Piccadilly Street, East Dry River, Port of Spain, officers observed the suspected vehicle.

They attempted to intercept the car and heard several loud explosions.

However, Charles soon felt a burning sensation and realized he had been shot.

His colleagues took him to the Port of Spain General Hospital where he was attended. He was taken to surgery suffering from entry and exit wounds from his chest to his back.

Up to this morning, his condition was listed as critical – police sources said Charles was in need of a blood transfusion.

More on this as it becomes available.