Shots fired at Parika businessman in failed robbery bid

A young Parika businessman was attacked by several bandits last night who attempted to rob him as he closed his business for the day.

According to reports, around 9pm, businessman Totash Ram Kawall, well- known as Toney Kawall of Parika Public Road, East Bank Essequibo was closing his shop when a yellow car pulled up in front of his business. The 24-year old man, who operates the general store with his father, entered his car and was fired at several times by the  men in the car who demanded cash.

According to his father, his son, who lives some distance away from the store along the public road, managed to put his car in reverse and sped off in the direction of the Parika Police Station with the men hot on his heels. He said his son related that the men fired several shots in his direction even as he neared the police station. He added that the bandits turned around their vehicle as it neared the police station and headed in the direction of the city.

A resident told Stabroek News that the back windscreen of the car was shattered while several gunshot holes were evident at the sides. The young man was unhurt, his father said.

Kawall would normally close his business early but last evening he decided to remain late at the business place in order to plan for  the following day. Police later launched a search in the area for the bandits as relatives expressed concern over the incident.

In 2009 this newspaper had reported on a spate of robberies in the Parika area in which a number of businesses were attacked by bandits. Kawall was robbed of a quantity of cash at the time and the man also sustained a gunshot wound close to his waist after he resisted his attackers.