Zeelugt robbery victim crippled by injuries from attack

Ron Rodrigues
Ron Rodrigues

Ron Rodrigues, the 29-year-old miner who was severely beaten and stabbed about his body more than a month ago during a robbery near his Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo home, has since been discharged from the hospital but is paralysed.

He is also unable to speak, his father, Victor Rodrigues told Stabroek News, relating that doctors have since ruled that Ron will be crippled due to the injuries he sustained during the April 22 attack.

The incident had left Ron nursing a broken jaw, severe head injuries and multiple stab wounds, including to his neck and face. This led to him developing a blood clot in his right leg, which resulted in him being administered blood thinners.

Victor said Ron is scheduled to undergo a surgery on the leg in the coming weeks.

Victor had previously explained to Stabroek News that Ron was attacked and injured by three men as he was returning home after visiting a shop in the area.

“They beat him up a lot, they juk him up, they strangle him into unconsciousness and they thought he was dead so they left him on the road,” Victor had said.

He recalled that the family was informed of the incident after his wife received a message informing her that Ron was killed. However, upon arrival at the scene, Victor said his wife noticed that Ron was still breathing.

Ron was initially admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he spent 24 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He was subsequently discharged but was readmitted after his condition worsened.

His latest admittance was at the Woodland’s Hospital, from which he was discharged two Tuesdays ago. While there, Ron’s family had pleaded with the public for assistance in donating blood in an effort to save his life. After a number of donations, Ron’s condition had stabilised.

To date no charges have been laid in the matter. Commander of ‘D’ Division, Edmond Cooper, had previously told Stabroek News that he was not aware of the matter. Cooper had said that he would welcome Ron’s relatives at his office for an interaction. Victor noted that he was indeed contacted by Cooper, who he said invited him for an interaction, which he refused. “The police want to talk to me but I won’t be talking to them,” Victor said.