He is the sixth Policeman and the seventh law enforcement officer killed by gunmen for the year so far.

Police Constable Ronald Abel, 25, of 170 South Vryheids Lust, East Coast Demerara, was fatally shot by five armed men on Ogle Street, Friendship, Police said.

Police in a release said that at around 11:30 hrs, Abel went to visit his `child mother' at Middle Walk, Friendship and while they were walking north along the road, one of the five men approached them and said he was a Policeman.

One of the armed men shot Abel in the right shoulder.

He ran west along Ogle Street in a bid to escape, but the men pursued and fatally shot him. The five then fled the scene, the release said.

According to Police, Abel received gunshot wounds to the head and right shoulder, collapsed and was picked up and rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Constable Abel, who tendered his resignation from the Guyana Police Force about two weeks ago, while stationed at the Beterverwagting Police Station, had ceased to perform duties as a Policeman, the release said.

Police said he had absconded and no approval was given for the termination of his service.

He joined the Force on April 11, 2000 and had three years nine months service.

The Commissioner and ranks of the Guyana Police Force have expressed sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Abel has left to mourn his reputed wife Letter Roberts and children Nku, 2, Shonella, 1, and five-month-old Tyrese.

Relatives said his resignation from the Police Force was prompted by his mother who was concerned for his life since many Policemen were being murdered by bandits.

They said Abel was a jovial and friendly person, but very brave.

They recalled that he took quite some time before heeding his mother's advice to leave the Police Force.