PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – A police constable who was responding to a report of a disturbance at a bar was shot twice when he encountered armed men robbing the business place.

Constable Kayshap Ryan Lochan underwent surgery at the San Fernando General Hospital for gunshot wounds to his lower abdomen and left leg.

Yesterday, he was in stable condition.

Lochan, 21, of Barrackpore had seven months’ service and was working at the Barrackpore Police Station.

Around 10.30 p.m. on Friday he and his colleagues — WPC Cholai and Const Sookhoo — were told there was a disturbance at Vietnam Bar in Barrackpore. They responded.

Bar owners Deonarine and Parbatie Gunness yesterday recounted that Deonarine was in the game room when the three men entered. Deonarine said the men announced a hold-up and ordered eight patrons to lie on the floor and hand over their cellphones and cash.

Two of the men were masked. They all had guns, Deonarine said. Parbatie Gunness said one of the men entered the bar area and tied her hands with duct tape. He ordered that the cash be handed over or he would slit the throat of one of her employees.

“I told them, ‘look the money there. Take it and go&rsquo

Deonarine said about 30 seconds into the robbery, the police arrived. The couple said Lochan had his firearm drawn. “As (Lochan) opened the door, the bandit opened fire.”

Deonarine said Lochan remained standing but started walking backwards.

“The bandits were firing at the police at regular intervals. The police responded,” he said.

Bullet holes were found in the police vehicle the officers parked outside the bar, a patron’s car and a passing vehicle.

A senior officer said the bullet-riddled police vehicle was being used to transport Lochan to the hospital but since the radiator was damaged in the shootout, the van broke down along the way.

The police vehicle being used to transfer him to hospital ran off the road during the journey.

Constable Sookhoo sustained an injury to his left leg in the accident but was treated and discharged from hospital.

Lochan underwent surgery when he arrived at the hospital. Officers said about 20 spent shells were recovered at the scene. A senior police officer said it is believed the bandits were using a mini Uzi sub-machine gun. The men escaped in a bushy area in Barrackpore.

Police officers searched the vicinity until 3 a.m. yesterday. The Gunnesses described Friday’s shooting as “very traumatic”.

They said this was the second time their business, which they have been operating for the past 35 years, had been robbed. Deonarine estimated his losses to be about $35,000 but he said patrons also had their cash and personal items taken.

Officers were at the scene on Friday night including Senior Supt of Police of the Southern Division Cecil Santana, Senior Supt of Police of the Central Division Johnny Abraham, Assistant Supt of Police Zamsheed Mohammed, officers  from the Southern Division Task Force and the Southwestern Division, supported by the Canine Unit and the National Security helicopter  Acting ASP Ali-Mohammed is continuing investigations

Lochan’s relatives yesterday called for senior police officers to be on patrol with junior officers.

Cousin Rikki Rambhajan said, “Something is terribly wrong. Three police constables on patrol at a time like this. Where are the senior officers?

“I don’t know how the Service operates but it is unfair. They (the new constables) need on-the-job experience on how to handle situations, especially with the rampant free-flow of arms and ammunition.”

He told the Sunday Express that because of the escalating crime situation, relatives had concerns over Lochan joining the police force. But Rambhajan who was speaking at the San Fernando General Hospital yesterday, said Lochan always wanted to become a police officer and was enthusiastic after graduating from his training seven months ago. Lochan was shot twice on Friday night.

Relatives said a bullet entered his abdomen and exited through his back. The bullet that entered his left leg also did not remain lodged in his body.

Rambhajan said his nephew underwent surgery and the residue from the bullets was removed from his body.

He said Lochan was in stable condition.

“He is fortunate the bullets didn’t touch any organs.”

Rambhajan said this was a tragic beginning to the New Year but he believed this situation will make his nephew tougher and Lochan will not quit the force but rather use this incident as a learning experience.

Lochan’s parents Deosaran and Jemma Lochan and brother Terrence were also at hospital yesterday. Lochan was asleep when the Sunday Express visited.

Sunday Express (Trinidad Express)