Victim’s father warns cop to stay away

THE father of a secondary school student reportedly shot on both feet by a policeman in Madang has warned the officer to keep away from his son.
Arnold Mara, an ex-policeman and father of Donald Mara, the Grade 10 student who was shot on December 11 at Elama, along the South Coast Road, has been told that the police officer was recently seen driving around the Erima school.
“On that day, my son was reportedly intoxicated with some other youths,’’ he said.
“The other youths fled the scene when they saw the policemen approaching. Using a firearm is the last resort for a policeman. But without warning he shot at close range my son’s feet.”
Mara said his son was recovering at home after being discharged from hospital a few weeks ago.
Donald has a 5cm by 6cm wound on the right feet and a 3cm bullet wound on the left.
“I am warning him not to mess around with my son, while I am in Port Moresby,’’ he said.
“He has permanently injured him and jeopardised his chance of entering the Brahman Secondary school –  one of his choices.”
Provincial Police Commander Anthony Wagambie Junior has been notified of the father’s warning. He said he was only waiting for the completed investigation report by detectives and the Internal Investigation Unit.
The policeman in question has not been suspended.