Businessman shot at Vreed-en-Hoop stelling

-in attempted robbery

A businessman was yesterday afternoon shot in his right leg during an attempted robbery at the Vreed-en-hoop stelling on the West Demerara.

Mohabir Persaud of Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara was shot during the incident which occurred at about 4:25 pm, and was treated at the West Demerara Regional Hospital and subsequently transferred to a city hospital.

Police, in a press release stated that investigations revealed that the businessman and his son, Loknauth had just crossed over from Georgetown by speed boat and were on their way to catch transportation when a man attempted to take away a bag which Persaud was carrying. “His son came to his assistance, whereupon the man drew a firearm and discharged several rounds at them hitting Mohabir in his right foot”, the police said adding that the men escaped on a motor cycle that was parked in the area.

A man, who said that he witnessed the incident, told Stabroek News that, he along with the Persauds and other passengers had just exited the speed boat and were walking along the narrow pathway that led to the junction when the robber attacked the man. “He try to grab his bag,” the eyewitness said adding “but I don’t know if he manage to get it because after I hear the first shot I began to run.”

The eyewitness said that the man was apparently waiting for his target in the passageway and when the man walked past he followed him and then tried to grab his bag. When the man refused to let go, the eyewitness recalled, the robber discharged a shot from his firearm which went through the upper zinc wall of the stelling.

As the two men struggled they got closer to the stelling’s exit and that was where the man was shot in his leg. “He didn’t bleed right away,” the eyewitness recounted, “But when he was moved to the old phone booth that’s when the blood started to flow.”

“When I reach outside the stelling de man de done shoot he and come dashing out,” the eyewitness further explained. “A next man de waiting on he on a motor bike and he jump on and they beat out.”

When Stabroek News visited the scene of the robbery blood stains could be seen in front of the phone booth. Vendors and other people who were present at the time of the incident remembered hearing the gunshots.

The matter was reported to the police and the man was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital and later transferred to a city hospital. Police said that a .32 warhead was recovered at the scene and investigations are continuing.