Cops Taser armed man in bar car park

(CNS) UPDATED: The RCIPS  have now charged a local man following the recovery of the ninth illegal gun since the start of the year following an incident outside a George Town bar in the early hours of Friday morning (5 August). Armed officers reportedly Tasered the armed man when they were called to Bananas Bar on Eastern Avenue shortly after 1:30am following a report that someone was in possession of a firearm and was threatening people.

Police said that when officers arrived there was a small crowd in the parking lot, including the suspect, who resisted their attempts to search him. A spokesperson for the RCIPS said that when the police arrived they identified the armed suspect and asked to search him. As he continued to resist, the armed officers from the Uniform Support Group fired a Taser but he still resisted. By this time the crowd outside the bar had grown and additional units were called to the scene.

The suspect was eventually restrained without further incident and a search of the George Town man turned up a loaded gun. The 35-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possession of an unlicensed firearm and was charged Sunday and was expected in court Monday morning. In addition to the six rounds of ammunition in the gun seized following a search of man’s home a further 44 rounds were discovered.

Acting Commissioner of Police Anthony Ennis commended the officers for their bravery and professionalism in safely restraining the suspect and recovering the firearm without any harm to the public and themselves.

“This adds to a series of incidents involving firearms as of late when officers have demonstrated judgement and restraint by not resorting to lethal force,” he said. “They continue to put themselves in harm’s way and demonstrate their training and professionalism.”