Constable Anson Benjamin, a 45-year-old father of five, is in critical condition.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Thursday April 7, 2016 – A 45-year-old police officer remains on life support at a hospital in Trinidad, after being shot in the head during a foiled robbery.
Constable Anson Benjamin, a father of five who has been in the police service for 16 years, is in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit at the San Fernando General Hospital.
Local media reports state that a high-profile team has been set up to investigate the shooting that occurred on Monday night when Benjamin and a female police officer responded to a report of an attempted robbery in progress at a supermarket in a village in San Fernando, in the southwest of the twin-island republic.
Police said Benjamin was confronted by two men when he opened the back door of the building, and one of them fired a shot that struck the officer in the head.
The assailants fled the scene and were able to escape, despite a search that involved the Air Support Unit and Canine Unit.
Relatives have told the media that doctors informed them the bullet is lodged at the base of Benjamin’s neck and bullet fragments are scattered in his brain. His right lung also collapsed, according to reports.
“The doctor said they would not be able to perform an emergency surgery now because they have to deal with certain things like the swelling in his head. The bullet is not in an area they can work on right now. Hopefully things will improve and they will be able to do it,” Benjamin’s wife, Cherry Ann Foster, told the Trinidad Express newspaper.
“We are hoping for a miracle. We are praying, asking God for him to get better.”