Soldier shot and injured at South Ruimveldt shop

A member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is currently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) nursing a single gunshot wound to his right abdomen, after being shot last Saturday in South Ruimveldt Gardens.

When Stabroek News visited Wayne Murray at the hospital yesterday, he was unable to speak as he had several tubes attached to his mouth, thus making it hard for him to relate the series of events that resulted in him being shot.

His elder sister Vanessa, who was at the hospital, said the family is also unaware of what exactly transpired since details of the shooting remain sketchy.

She said that based on the little information she received, the incident occurred at around 1 am on Saturday at a shop on Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt where Murray had stopped to make a purchase.

However, she stated that Murray could not say who shot him since he did not see the shooter.

“From what we hear, he was out partying or something and he stopped at the shop to buy milk when he get shoot. He said he don’t know what happen only that he felt like he got shot,” the sister said.

The woman stated that she had received a phone call from the GPH. “I got a call from a nurse telling me that my son got shot. I said, ‘me son get shot?’ I got five sons. Two of them are also soldiers so I ask who and that’s when she said, ‘Wayne Murray… I seh Wayne Murray and I get up trembling and went to his room and pull the door and peep to see if he there because he does deh lay down on the bottom bunk,’” she explained.

Vanessa said it was then she realized that her brother was not there and became worried.

While she was still processing this, the nurse called again saying that Murray had requested to see her and she left immediately for the hospital.

Commenting on his condition, Vanessa explained that the doctors were initially unable to locate the bullet but they finally did, and Murray underwent surgery. The bullet was successfully removed.

She was unable to comment on the extent of the injuries sustained as a result of the gunshot wound, but said the family continues to pray for his speedy recovery. “We just want he recover and get back strong,” his sister added.

Meanwhile, a police source told Stabroek News that no one has yet been arrested for the shooting, adding that investigations are ongoing.

Murray, a resident of Well Road, South Ruimveldt Gardens has been to be a member of the GDF for the past four years.