Tuesday, March 18 2008

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ROBO COP: This officer casts a menacing look, armed to the teeth, dressed in tactical combat uniform including bullet-proof vest and knee guards, as h...

BALLISTICS tests have confirmed that the bullet which killed Sangre Grande businessman Abdul Ali, 27, inside Cheers Bar in Sangre Grande two Mondays ago, was not fired by his relative PC Hamre Lackraj, of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

The report from the ballistics expert at the Forensic Science Centre has cleared PC Lackraj of the killing of Abdul, who was his brother-in-law.

Ali, was shot dead during a shootout between PC Lackraj and two bandits on the morning of February 10 at Cheers Bar.

The dead bandit was identified as John Dolland, 31, of Foster Road, Sangre Grande.

Yesterday, Deputy Police Commissioner Gilbert Reyes who ordered an investigation into the shootings at the Sangre Grande bar said he was still awaiting a report from investigators into the incident.

Sources told Newsday yesterday that the report recommends no disciplinary action be taken against PC Lackraj.

The report is being compiled by officers at the Sangre Grande Police Station and will be delivered to DCP Reyes today.

PC Lackraj was given permission to take home his service weapon after he complained of threats made to his life.

The shooting deaths occurred at about 12.10 am on February 10, when Ali, and his family were at the bar celebrating his mother Zorida’s return from the United States when two gunmen entered the bar. One of the bandits recognised PC Lackraj and told him “Redman don’t move.”

PC Lackraj reached for his gun and a shootout ensued.