Shot robbery victim urges increased police presence in ‘gun town’ Sophia

A South Ruimveldt man is calling on the police to increase their presence in Sophia after he was shot and left for dead during a violent robbery in the community.

Terrance Phillips, 24 of Lot 1572 Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt Park, was shot to the abdomen during the attack by two bandits, which occurred eight weeks ago. From the hospital bed he has been occupying since June 18, Phillips recounted to Stabroek News the horrific incident.

He said that he was on his way to the Sophia home that he shared with his ex-girlfriend at approximately 7pm on June 1. He said that he was walking along a street in ‘D’ Field, Sophia, when he was approached by two young men, both of whom were armed with guns. “They stopped me, chucked me, shoot me and robbed me,” Phillips declared.

An injured Terrance Phillips resting at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Tuesday.
An injured Terrance Phillips resting at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Tuesday.

He said he was robbed of two “cheap” cellular phones and an empty lunch pack, which contained two bowls. “If they had asked me politely, I would have given it to them,” the injured man said, while recounting that the bandits, after shooting him once in the left lower abdomen, entered his pockets and took out the cellular phones.

Phillips said when he questioned the young bandits, both of whom he believed to be between the ages of 16 and 19, one demanded that he stay silent while threatening to kill him. “I will never forget the voices I heard that night,” he said while lamenting that it was too dark to positively identify them.

Phillips said he was subsequently rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he underwent surgery before being released six days after. However, Phillips had to be re-admitted to the hospital after he suffered severe swelling on his left foot. After being examined, he said he underwent another surgery. Presently, Phillips said he remains an admitted patient under observation at the hospital, while awaiting a surgery to remove the still lodged bullet, as well as to close a hole in his ureter.

Phillips called on the police to increase their presence in Sophia, which he described as a “gun town.” He said that too much gun-related violence has been occurring in the area. “I don’t know what the police doing, but I think they should do something about it,” Phillips opined.

The police took a statement from Phillips since June but he says that he has heard nothing since then.