MAR 20

A Trinidad national was shot in the abdomen over the weekend in what police believe could be a burglary attempt.
Police officials confirmed to GRENADA TODAY that the person shot is Martin Blackman alias "Aba Daba" who has been residing on the island illegally for some time.

Blackman was allegedly shot after he attempted to enter the home of a businessman on Tyrell Street in St. George's. The incident occurred last Saturday at around 12:45 a.m.

Officers attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in St. George's caught up with the injured man after responding to a report made by Howard Harbin, Manager of Island Security Services at Simmons Alley, St. George's.
A police official said that Harbin told them on arrival at his home that he was asleep and was awaken by his father who indicated that he heard someone trying to enter the house.

Harbin said that he went to a glass window and observed a male person trying to enter the house through a window.
He spoke of pulling out his .32 revolver and shouting "halt" but the person continued to move and he fired a warning shot.

Harbin is reported to have told the lawmen that when he observed the man moving towards a bag on the roof, he became frightened and fired a shot. The man was apparently hit but ran behind the building.

Police investigators discovered a number of breaking implements at crime scene in side a yellow, black and blue bag found on the roof of the buil;ding. The list included one (1) brace and bit, one (1) pliers, one (1) hacksaw blade, a piece of cement rope 20 ft. long, one (1) pig toe, one (1) cream and black pair of gloves, a vehicle spring 2ft x 5 inches and a black cap.

The official said that when the police went behind the house they saw someone lying in a folded position and instructed the individual to get up. He soon replied: "I got shot".

When the suspect was examined, the lawmen observed that he had a wound to his abdomen which was bleeding profusely. Blackman was immediately rushed to the General Hospital in St. George's where he was attended to and admitted as a patient.

Police sources say that the injured man had ofdten ran afoul of the local law and was deported to his homeland a few years ago. It was also revealed that Blackman is being sought by law enforcement officials in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for questioning in connection with a number of offences.