Security guard accidentally shoots teen, self at Bourda Market

…admits he is untrained to use a firearm

Two weeks after being employed as a security guard, a 20-year-old man accidentally shot himself and a 15-year-old vendor at Bourda Market while in the process of clearing his firearm.
The incident occurred on Robb Street in the vicinity of the Bourda Market at around 22:00h on Wednesday, and
investigations have revealed that the security guard was employed by C. Mohan Security Services just two weeks ago. He admitted to investigators that he is not a supernumerary constable and has also not been trained to use a firearm.
At the time of the incident, this guard was posted at a Robb Street stall owned by the teen’s brother, a 32-year-old vendor of Newtown, Enmore, East Coast Demerara. The teenager is reportedly a school dropout who would usually assist his brother in running the stall in the market.
At the time, the security guard was armed with the said security service .9mm Taurus pistol and 10 live matching rounds of ammunition. He claimed that he took out the firearm from the waist of his pants to ‘clear it’ when a shot accidentally went off. It hit his left palm, exited and hit the 15-year-old, who was at the time at the market stall. The teen was shot in his right-side abdomen.
After the report was made, the firearm and ammunition were seized and lodged. Checks were made for the spent shell, but none was found. The teen and security guard were escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they are receiving medical attention. The condition of each is reportedly stable. Investigations are in progress. (G12)