Coast Guard officer shot in back

A 31-year-old Coast Guard officer sustained gunshot injuries to the back at La Canoa Road, Santa Cruz early yesterday.

Stephen Daniel is at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope in a serious but stable condition.

Police said, Daniel was driving his car on La Canoa Road, Santa Cruz, shortly after 3am, when on reaching Saut D’eau several loud explosions were heard. He felt a burning sensation in his back. The back windshield of his car was shattered and Daniel reportedly became disoriented. Instead of driving his vehicle out of the area to seek medical attention, he drove further into Santa Cruz then brought his car to a stop when the pain from the wound became unbearable.

Someone called the Santa Cruz police who arrived and found Daniel in his car. He told them he is a Coast Guard officer and was taken to the hospital. Investigators are expected to interview him today.