Dexter Johnson, who was shot by members of a gang on Monday, yesterday said that he fears for his life since his attackers’ sole intention was to kill him.
He told Stabroek News that it was clear that the attack, which occurred at his Phase 1 Mandela Avenue residence, was an attempt on his life and he pleaded with the police to catch his attackers.
“Yeah, they wanted to kill me. I ain’t had no problem with anyone. No family ain’t got no problem with them. We ain’t had no problem with nobody,” Johnson said. “Ah want de police get them,” he added. Members of Johnson’s family, at the scene, had said that the man’s two sons had previous conflicts with the attackers.
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud, in a brief telephone interview, said that the attack was carried out by a gang of seven men, three of whom had guns. He said that information led to the arrest of one of the suspects, who was held with a gun.
Persaud added that there is nothing to suggest a motive, but noted that there was an argument prior to the attack.
Johnson, 43, underwent successful surgery to have a bullet removed from his abdomen and while he appears weak, doctors are certain that he will make a full recovery. The area was heavily bandaged when Stabroek News visited him yesterday.
This newspaper had incorrectly reported that the man was shot thrice.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Johnson recalled that he was pushing his motorcycle out of his yard to a nearby vulcanising shop to get some air for one of the tyres. The man said it was then that he saw “two man… ah known them, come up just suh with a lil machine gun and start shooting me.” At first he said that it was about four men who carried out the attack, but later said that there were more.
He stressed that all the men had guns and were shooting at him and “ah run away and run, run, run and one (a bullet) ketch meh.”
Now, Johnson said, he is focused on getting well. The man’s niece, who did not want to be named, had recounted that upon seeing his attackers, Johnson began screaming, “’How y’all gon do me this? Is nah me and y’all got problem!”
During the attack, the gang destroyed Johnson’s motorcycle before throwing gasoline about his house and threatening to set it on fire.
The men reportedly fled after they were told that the police would be contacted.
Johnson was later discovered in a helpless state beside the house. He could not speak but knocked a piece of wood to alert those nearby to his presence.
