Shooter at PNCR Headquarters unlicensed; gun seized

Last Updated on Thursday, 31 July 2014, 13:52 by GxMedia

The man, who fired the gunshot during the biennial congress of the People’s National Congress Reform’s (PNCR) headquarters, is not a licensed firearm holder, a senior police officer said Friday.

Head of the Criminal Investigations Department, Senior Superintendent Leslie James said investigators were focusing on whether Linden Primo’s discharge of the firearm on Sunday, July 27 at 12:11 PM was justified. “Discharging a loaded firearm without justification is always an offence and we have to investigate that aspect to determine if it was justified,” he said.

Other police sources said the file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

The firearm that was used by Primo was taken away by police from his employer,  Mahdia Gold Corporation, according to the sources.

Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud confirmed that Primo is not a licensed firearm holder and that the gun belongs to his employer. “It would appear that the firearm belongs to the business entity he works for,” he said.

Ever since Primo was arrested Tuesday night (July 29, 2014) at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport while attempting to leave for the United States (US), he has remained in police custody.

Top PNCR officials have said that Primo was part of the Returning Officer’s security team. They have said that the shot was discharged at a time when PNCR delegates were pushing against a barrier during preparations for voting.