Shots between PM and government supporters leave 1 dead and 5 wounded

www.vheadline.com Posted: Sunday, February 23, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Shots were exchanged Saturday night in the surrounds of Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) La Campina HQ where government supporters have been holding camp. Early news reports say a Metropolitan Police (PM) officer on a motorbike was ambushed as he tried to reach a funeral parlor for the wake of a fellow officer.

• Government supporters are accused of firing the first shots at the officer who was passing La Campina, wounding him in the foot.

Further shots were exchanged when police reinforcements came on the scene.  One policeman is dead and five persons wounded as a result of the shootout.