Shemar Latif of Onderneeming Sandpit, Essequibo Coast, was shot dead during a joint service operation at Quartzstone Backdam, Region Seven, on Thursday, after he reportedly exchanged gunfire with police.
According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), ranks encountered Latif during the exercise and suspected he was an accomplice. Police reportedly attempted to engage him; however, the suspect, who was armed with a handgun, allegedly discharged several rounds at the ranks while trying to evade arrest.
The GPF said the ranks took evasive action and returned fire, during which Latif sustained injuries.
A 9mm pistol, six live rounds of ammunition, and several 9mm spent shells were recovered at the scene, police said. Latif was escorted to the Bartica Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty.
His body remains at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination as investigations continue.
