TWO police officers were taken to Doctor’s Hospital yesterday after being shot while attempting to arrest a murder suspect in the Pinewood area.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson, both officers received injuries to the “head area”. He hastened to add, however, that the injuries were not “life threatening”.

Reportedly both officers were on patrol when they spotted Renaldo Adderley driving a 2005 gold Honda, who police were seeking in connection with the February 3rd murder of Margaret Altime. Altime was shot in the head in her store on East Street – opposite Kelly’s Lumber Yard on Sunday. Her murder was the tenth homicide for the year.

Adderley, who upon spotting the police, led officers on a high-speed chase ending on Cascarilla Street where he crashed his vehicle into another parked car.

Getting out of the vehicle, Adderley reportedly opened fire on the officers, injuring both of them.

The suspect and his accomplice then fled into nearby bushes where they were able to escape.

Expressing his dismay at yesterday’s shooting, ACP Ferguson said it is obvious that this suspect does not respect human life.

“We are saddened by this incident here in Pinewood where two detectives were shot by a suspect. This is an extremely vexing issue,” he said.

Noting how officers are constantly putting their lives on the line to uphold law and order in the country, ACP Ferguson appealed to members of the public to assist them in bringing this suspect in.

“He (Adderley) does not care about human life. These people don’t respect law and order. They would do anything to evade capture. So we are appealing to the public to assist us,” he said.

Police last night said an island-wide manhunt was under way for 27-year-old Adderley.

A press release last night stated: “Police have vowed to leave no stones unturned until they find this armed and dangerous suspect and bring him to justice.

Adderley is 5ft 8in tall, and has a dark complexion and a medium build.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Central Detective Unit on 502-9991, 502-9992, police emergency on 919 or Crimestoppers on 328-TIPS (New Providence) or 300-8476 (Family Islands).

All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence.