HGP NIGHTLY NEWS – Who fired first outside the Kitty residence of Special Branch Head Senior Superintendent Prem Narine? That question is now central to a police investigation that has left Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and two other men in custody, with sharply conflicting accounts emerging from both sides.
The incident unfolded shortly before midnight on Monday along Barr Street, Kitty, where Narine reported seeing a black Toyota Allion, PXX 5300, moving slowly past his residence.
According to preliminary police information, Narine became suspicious after observing the driver looking in his direction. He alleged that the vehicle circled the block and returned, after which he heard what appeared to be a gunshot.
Narine said he took cover and discharged several rounds from his service-issued Glock pistol in the direction of the vehicle as it sped away. The senior officer subsequently pursued the car, which was intercepted near Vlissengen Road and Sandy Babb Street.
Inside were Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, 39, Mario Mohamed, 25, and driver Eugene Thorne, 35. All three reportedly denied the allegations.
Police later searched the vehicle and reported finding a Taurus .32 pistol without a serial number beneath the accelerator pedal, along with a magazine containing three live rounds.
Investigators also reportedly recovered a spent .32 casing on Barr Street opposite Narine’s residence and four spent 9mm casings from the senior officer’s yard.
Three apparent bullet holes were observed on the vehicle, including on the driver’s door, passenger door and roof. Mohamed, however, has presented a significantly different account.
According to the Opposition Leader, the men were in the area to record what they believed was a heavy police presence near Narine’s residence as part of concerns over the alleged use of state resources.
Mohamed claims that while they were making a second pass through Barr Street, shots were suddenly fired at their vehicle, forcing them to flee.
He further alleges that after they were intercepted, Narine approached their vehicle armed and discharged additional rounds before ordering them out.
Mohamed has denied knowledge of the firearm police say was recovered beneath the accelerator pedal and has reportedly raised allegations that the weapon may have been planted.
No evidence establishing that claim has been presented. With both sides giving conflicting versions, investigators will now have to rely on forensic and other evidence to establish the sequence of events.
All three men were reportedly swabbed for gunshot residue, while the firearm, ammunition and spent casings have been secured for examination. CCTV footage from the area is also expected to form part of the investigation.
