Michael Taylor, called Taylor Boy, was shot dead following a confrontation with the police at One Mile Wismar shortly after 19:00hrs last night.

His colleague, Nigel Kissoon, was in a critical condition at the Mackenzie Hospital having sustained multiple gunshot wounds during the same confrontation.

The two were cornered after people informed the police that the escapees were seen in the village. At the time they were about to purchase food at a popular eating house in the One Mile area.

Taylor sustained multiple gunshot wounds, one of which entered his left shoulder and exited at his back. He was also shot in the chest, abdomen, groin and leg. One of the bullets passed through his penis.

His colleague, Kissoon, also sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to the Mackenzie Hospital where up to press time he was said to be conscious but disoriented. His condition was described as critical.

The two had broken out of the Wisroc Police Outpost on August 30 last.

Police Constable 15283 Joshua Mentore has since been charged in connection with the escape. When Mentore appeared before a Georgetown Magistrate, he pleaded not guilty and was released on $30,000 bail.

He was ordered to return to court on September 20.

Michael Taylor and Nigel Kissoon escaped just before they were scheduled to appear in the Christianburg Magistrate's Court.

At the time of their escape, they were on remand for robbery under arms, wrongful restraint for ransom, buggery and rape.

It is alleged that the accused abducted a Region Ten contractor's wife, his employee and an 18-year-old woman last July after holding up their vehicle at 19 Miles Rockstone.

It is alleged that the women were sexually assaulted and were only released after the contractor paid a $500,000 ransom.

Police said that Taylor , 30, of One Mile Wismar , and Kissoon, 35, of no fixed place of abode, escaped while waiting to be taken to the Christianburg Magistrate's Court.

The entire Linden community was breathing a sigh of relief. The tension was described as overbearing while the men remained at large. Women were scared to walk the streets after dark.

Late last night arrangements were being made to transport Kissoon to the Georgetown Public Hospital . Up to press time, the medical authorities were awaiting the police escort.

Tuesday 09-12-2005