Shot Albouystown man says quick response saved life

Albouystown businessman Joel Sullivan, who was shot in the chest during an attack last Friday, said his alertness and a quick responding neighbour saved his life.

Sullivan, 37, of James Street, Albouystown told Stabroek News from his hospital bed that he was locking up his business place on Emancipation Day when he saw a man running towards him from a corner away. “I thought he was running from the police,” Sullivan explained. However, he then noticed a gun in the man’s hand and decided to run into his yard and lock the gate.

“I said this look like me,” he explained, adding that the gunman then fired two shots at him. Only one bullet hit Sullivan, who shouted for help while securing the gate to deny access to the gunman.

A recovering Joel Sullivan at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
A recovering Joel Sullivan at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

He said that the gunman then ran away after he realised that the gate was locked and neighbours were alerted. He said he dragged himself into the house after being shot, collected money and his house keys before he was taken to the hospital by his neighbour Linden Chase.

Sullivan underwent surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital to remove a bullet that was lodged in his chest. Sullivan said that he was surprised that he would be targeted by bandits, since he runs a small business and does not have a lot of money. A statement is yet to be taken from him as he was unable to give one. He said he is expecting the police to visit him and take one, since he is not yet cleared to be released from the hospital.