Police officer being investigated for shooting a suspect in Punta Gorda

Published by BBNTEAM at January 18, 2023

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Posted: Wednesday, January 18, 2023. 9:34 am CST.

By Benjamin Flowers: A police officer is currently under investigation after shooting a suspect in the line of duty.

Head of Communications for the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Assistant Superintendent Fitzroy Yearwood, said that the Commissioner has ordered an internal and criminal investigation into the shooting that happened on the night of Saturday, January 14, on Mahogany Street, Punta Gorda Town.

Yearwood said that Police constable #2404 Luella Whyte along with other officers were responding to a report of a shooting and that two armed men were riding around on a motorcycle. PC Whyte encountered Andel Alvarez on a motorcycle and when told to stop, Alvarez tried to flee the scene but his motorcycle shut down.

Alvarez reportedly tried to escape on foot and in so doing pulled a gun and pointed it at the pursuing officers at which point PC Whyte reportedly pulled her service weapon and fired a single shot hitting him in the rear, upper left shoulder. Police retrieved a .9mm pistol from the scene with no serial number and a magazine containing eight live .9mm rounds, following the incident.

“The officer’s firearm was also taken as a part of the investigation,” Yearwood said. “Based on the outcome of that investigation we will know if the officer will be levied any charges internally or otherwise.”

Alvarez remains at the Southern Regional Hospital (SRH) where he is listed in stable condition.

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