Three injured in accidental bank shooting
Published:Friday | November 24, 2023 | 12:12 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
Panic ensued at the Portmore, St Catherine branch of the National Commercial Bank (NCB) on Thursday as a Beryllium security guard reportedly discharged three shots from his firearm accidentally, hitting three persons.
The three individuals – two females and a male – each sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as patrons queuing up for the ATM hastily sought cover amid the unexpected gunfire.
“I was inside the bank when I heard the shots. It was sheer panic. I guess because everyone knows that these guards are attacked from time to time,” one customer told The Gleaner.
Another customer stated: “I was frightened, but I figured out fast that the shots were not coming from inside, so I moved away from the glass doors and windows, all the time hoping that the shooter doesn’t come inside.”
Beryllium Limited, a member of the Guardsman Group, released a statement acknowledging the incident and said it was “working closely with the police authorities to further investigate this matter”.
The statement also confirmed that the three injured bystanders were receiving medical attention.
NCB, in a separate release, expressed its support to those impacted. The bank emphasised its commitment to providing a safe environment and said it regretted any concern and inconvenience caused, while assuring the public that the matter was being taken seriously.
The St Catherine South police, which is responsible for the investigation, remained tight-lipped about the specifics of how the rounds were discharged.
The incident raised renewed questions about the safety measures and training provided to armed guards, particularly those involved in transporting large sums of money to ATMs. Beryllium has faced previous armed attacks, resulting in a fatality and injuries. Despite these incidents, the company has consistently defended its training regime for security personnel.