A man was shot and killed while a Barbados police officer was injured after an alleged struggle over a firearm during an arrest in Bridgetown on Friday evening.

According to the Barbados Police Service (BPS), the incident occurred at around 6:03 pm along Fairfield Street at its junction with Bay Street.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the man had been arrested in connection with the alleged assault of a woman. Police said the suspect was identified by the complainant before being placed in a police vehicle for transport.

While inside the vehicle, the suspect allegedly attempted to disarm an officer by grabbing the officer’s firearm.

Police said a struggle ensued, during which the officer was shot. The suspect also sustained gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by a medical doctor.

The injured officer was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where he remains under medical treatment.

The BPS said investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information that could assist investigators to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, Police Emergency at 211, or the Criminal Investigations Department at 430-7189.