Austin Street, Campbellville resident Safraz Khan was last night in critical condition after a gunman opened fire on him in what appeared to be an attempted `hit’.
Around 31 spent shells were retrieved from the scene by the police last night.
Khan was reportedly in his car when the shooting started, but quickly exited and ran for his life. He was struck by several of the bullets.
According to CCTV video footage seen by Stabroek News, Khan drove his car onto the bridge to enter his yard when another car came from a southerly direction; stopped and opened fire on his car. One person then rushed over to Khan’s vehicle and opened fire at him. A fusillade followed. The gunman was decked out in a yellow raincoat with a hood. The getaway vehicle drove down the street and the gunman ran after it and jumped into the front seat. The getaway vehicle appeared to be a silver-grey one.
Khan was rushed to the hospital in a critical state.
When Stabroek News arrived at the scene, neighbours were tightlipped about the incident. Investigations are ongoing.
The police today issued the following statement:
Police are investigating an alleged shooting incident involving a 42-year-old Businessman from Austin Street, Campbellville and an unidentifiable male suspect, who was dressed in a yellow raincoat and armed with a gun.
The incident occurred on Thursday night, at about 20:07 hrs, in front of the businessman’s home on Austin Street, Campbellville.
Detectives visited the scene at about 20:20 hrs last night.
Investigations disclosed that several loud explosions suspected to be gunshots were heard, and on looking outside, persons observed the victim’s car, PVV 8859, a white Toyota Premio, parked in front of the yard.
On checking, they observed that the victim was seated in the driver’s seat bleeding from wounds on his feet and hands. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he is seeking medical attention. His condition is stable.
The victim claimed that he left his work site at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, at about 19:50 hrs and drove home. He said he observed a silver-colour Allion motorcar driving behind him. As he turned into his entrance and stopped, the motorcar stopped, and the suspect immediately exited the front passenger seat with a gun and approached his vehicle. On seeing that, the businessman, who was armed with his licensed pistol, said he discharged rounds in the suspect’s direction.
The suspect also discharged rounds at the victim, after which the suspect ran and entered the front passenger seat, and the vehicle drove away at a fast rate.
Detectives processed the scene, and twenty-seven .223 spent shells were recovered at the scene, and thirteen 9mm spent shells were recovered in the victim’s car. The victim’s firearm was on the front seat of the vehicle. Bullet holes were seen on the motorcar, a concrete fence, a verandah and the garage gate.
Motorcar PTT 2997, a grey BMW owned by the victim and which was parked alongside the other car, had a hole in the right front door.
The victim received three gunshot injuries to the thigh and left elbow. Several CCTV cameras were viewed, which captured the scene and are being processed. Several persons were also questioned. Efforts are being made to locate the car and suspect.
