MANCHESTER MAN CHARGED WITH BREACHES OF THE FIREARMS ACT
The Manchester Police have charged a man with Shooting with Intent, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Unauthorised Possession of Ammunition, and Using a Firearm to Commit a Felony, following an incident in the parish, on Monday, October 19.
Charged is 36-year-old Cordel Blake, of George Reid District, Manchester.
According to police reports, at about 6:35 a.m., lawmen intercepted a silver Toyota Axio motorcar along Old Greenvale Road after receiving reports that the vehicle had been involved in an earlier shooting. Two-armed men were reportedly inside the car. A motorcyclist believed to be travelling with the men reportedly fled the scene. When the officers signalled the driver of the vehicle to stop, one of the occupants reportedly opened fire, prompting the lawmen to return fire.
After the shooting, two men were found suffering from gunshot wounds. One was reportedly in possession of a Smith & Wesson P15-22 rifle containing five .22-calibre rounds. Both men were taken to hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
Police later intercepted Blake at the intersection of Perth Road and Grove Road, who was believed to be the motorcyclist who had evaded them earlier.
During the encounter, he reportedly pulled a firearm from his waistband and opened fire on the lawmen before fleeing. The officers returned fire, but he escaped.
Blake later attended hospital with a gunshot wound to his right foot. He was treated and admitted before being placed in police custody pending an identification parade.
Blake was formally charged on Tuesday, October 27, with the offences.
He is scheduled to appear in the Manchester Parish Court on Wednesday, November 4.
