A GWI employee was up to press time last night in serious condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound when two men attacked and robbed him of a gold chain on Norton Street, Georgetown.

Joseph Coddette

Joseph Coddette, a Field Manager attached to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), was outside the Quick Stop Snackette on Norton Street playing a game of dominoes when he was attacked by two “small guys”. One of the attackers, according to reports, snatched Coddette’s chain; the man resisted and was shot to the abdomen by the other attacker.

Coddette was rushed to the hospital shortly before 7 pm. Charles Bovell, owner of the snackette, told Stabroek News that sometime after 6 pm “two small guys” entered his establishment. The young men, he related, purchased doughnuts and left. As Coddette’s attackers were leaving the snackette Bovell said he moved farther into the business place.

“Is a lil after I turn around to go farther into the shop,” Bovell told this newspaper, “I heard the confusion outside…then I heard them shouting that he [Coddette] get shot.”

Bovell said he immediately closed his establishment and with the aid of others around placed the injured man into his vehicle and transported him to the hospital.

When Stabroek News arrived at the medical institution some time before 8pm Bovell and relatives of the injured man were present. Police were also there as they continued their investigations.

The snackette owner said Coddette would normally visit his establishment where he would “hang out” in front and play dominoes with friends. Bovell said he did not see how the man was injured but understands Coddette was the victim of a robbery.

“Apparently these two small guys go out there and tried to snatch his chain and I don’t know if he tried to resist them or what but they got his chain and they shot him in the abdomen…while I was in my shop I heard a single gunshot,” Bovell related.

Meanwhile, persons present at Quick Stop Snackette when Stabroek News visited shortly after 8 pm said they had not witnessed the “actual shooting”. Residents who live close to the scene recalled hearing a single gunshot.

“No, no we didn’t see anything,” one resident told this newspaper. “We were inside the house but I remember hearing what sounded like a single gunshot.”