WESTERN BUREAU — Lenford Clarke, a 36 year-old security guard employed to Alpha Security Company, was remanded in custody on Wednesday, when he appeared in the Savanna-la-mar Resident Magistrate’s Court to answer to a charge of murder.

He is scheduled to return to Court on May 28, when his case will again be mentioned.

Clarke was arrested and charged Wednesday following a ruling by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) that he was criminally responsible for the June 2002 shooting death of 19 year-old Richard Coombs. Coombs was slain outside an exotic club in Westmoreland.

Allegations are that at about 12:30 am on June 24 of last year, Coombs — a tiler of Wharf Road in Westmoreland — went to the entrance of Club Cancer, a popular night spot in Smithfield. The young man reportedly demanded free entry.

The police said Clarke, who was working at the club’s entrance, insisted that Coombs should pay the $100 entrance fee. But, according to the police, Coombs refused to pay and tried to force his way in as he pushed his right hand in the waist of his pants.

The guard then fired one warning shot. The police said Coombs then advanced on the guard, who reportedly fired another shot, hitting him in the chest.

He was taken to the Savanna-la-mar General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

No weapon was reportedly found on the deceased man’s body.

Following the incident, patrons at the club mobbed the security guard and accused him of killing Coombs in cold blood.

The police later seized the security guard’s firearm for ballistic testing. A case file containing statements from the security guard, as well as persons claiming to be eyewitnesses, and the results of the post mortem examination was later submitted to the DPP for his ruling.