Shot internet café worker still fighting for his life

Ten days after being shot in the abdomen during a robbery, Bobby Hemraj continues to fight for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

The 21-year-old nursing student, who was shot on the night of March 6 while at an internet café on Sheriff Street, remains in a critical condition.

Hemraj underwent emergency surgery that night and was admitted a patient to the ICU. Hospital sources told this newspaper yesterday that there had been a slight improvement in his condition.

Meanwhile, police have not yet arrested anyone in relation to the incident. Shortly after 9 pm on the night in question, two men went to Plaza Computer Services at 245 Sheriff Street where Hemraj works part time and requested to make a phone call. The internet café offers browsing as well as telephone and internet calls.

Neil Lewis, the café owner, had told Stabroek News at the hospital that Hemraj was the only employee there at the time and as he had been the victim of previous robberies, there is an iron grille separating the office space from the customer area. Lewis said he was told that as Hemraj went to give the phone to the men, one of them pulled out a gun and shot him in the abdomen.