Police shoot guard at boom-gate

 A SECURITY guard manning the boom-gate at the border of Western Highlands and Southern Highlands was shot by a policeman, police say.

The officer is a member of the police highway patrol based in Kaupena, Southern Highlands.

Chief Sgt Philip Kumo confirmed the incident but declined to comment further. 

He referred all questions to police in Mendi. 

Attempts to contact Mendi police were unsuccessful.

Martin Yoko, the brother of the shooting victim Wesley Terry, said incident happened at 9am on a Saturday last month.

Yoko alleged that the officer was drunk and chased the security guards away.

Yoko said Terry tried to escape into a nearby coffee garden when the officer shot him on the left shoulder. He is admitted at the Mt Hagen General Hospital.

Yoko said the officer was arrested by police and detained at the Mendi police station.

Boom-gate security coordinator Lones Nali condemned the police shooting.