Shot teen waitress still awaiting surgery

Onika Luke, the waitress who was shot in her chin during a robbery at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara last month, is still waiting to undergo surgery to remove the bullet.

Stabroek News understands that doctors are unable to perform the surgery as it is considered a risky procedure. The bullet has since moved from the region of Luke’s chest, closer to her spine.

Luke, 16, of Lot 1 Vryheid’s Lust public road, East Coast Demerara, remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Stabroek News understands that she is now able to talk but is still unable to breathe on her own and eat any solid food. Stabroek News was told that investigations are still ongoing and no one has been charged.

Luke was working at the Lucky Star Chinese Restaurant at Better Hope when she was shot. The police, in a press release, had said Luke was on duty when a man entered the restaurant and ordered a meal. According to the release, “while paying for the meal, the man held onto the hands of Luke, who was behind some grill, pulled out a firearm and demanded cash. Luke resisted and was shot to her chin by the man who escaped.”

The St John’s College student worked after school to make ends meet every afternoon from 5-10pm.