By GARY DARMANIE Wednesday, August 27 2008

Gunshots were fired yesterday outside the Arima Magistrates Court as gang warfare between Pinto and Temple Streets in East Arima escalated to a new level.

According to an eyewitness, at about 11:30 am, Kevin Matamoro exited the Court and proceeded to a bar on the opposite side of the road when two men of East Indian descent came out of the bar, guns blazing with Matamoro as the target.

The eyewitness said Matamoro ran back into the prisoners’ docks in the Court as the shots were being fired. While Matamoro remained unhurt, Police Constable Ronnie George who was standing in front of the Gate to the prisoners’ entrance to the court was shot in the buttocks.

The two gunmen then reportedly ran north on Prince Street before turning east onto Sorzano Street. The eyewitness said one police officer gave chase after the gunmen to the corner of Prince and Sorzano Streets where the officer drew his weapon and fired three shots.

Eyewitnesses were unable to say if any of the gunmen were hit.

PC George was taken to the Arima Health facility before being transferred to the Mt. Hope General Hospital where he is said to be in stable condition.

Meanwhile, police officers are calling for heightened security in and around the Arima Magistrates Court as they claim the court remains “too open” to the public.

Heightened security the officers explained, includes the positioning of armed guards on the rooftops of buildings surrounding the Court in order to avoid tragedies such as yesterday’s shooting.

Calls to Acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert went unanswered yesterday. Arima Police are continuing investigations.