It has been three weeks since unknown gunmen unleashed a barrage of gunfire at a car travelling along Savage Street, injuring two of the occupants in the process and police force is no closer to making a breakthrough in the case.
One of the survivors is adamant that the case will remain unsolved, claiming the police are showing no interest it in.
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud recently said, when asked by Stabroek News about the status of the investigation, that there have been no new developments. This newspaper was told that the police investigators have received information and are pursuing specific leads.
Until now investigators have been unable to give a motive for the shooting, which occurred on August 30.
Wayne Smith, a former boxer, who was the driving the car that morning, sustained the worst injury. He was shot thrice in the shoulder.
Speaking to this on Tuesday, Smith said that he was discharged from the private city hospital where he was being treated about two weeks ago. He has regained some amount of mobility in his right hand and there are “screws and ba
According to him, he still has to go to the hospital regularly to have his shoulder cleaned and dressed and will have to see his doctor every three weeks to have the shoulder thoroughly examined.
Asked if the police had visited him since the incident to take an official statement, the man replied in the negative before stressing that he doesn’t believe anything will come out of the case since the police themselves are not paying any interest in it.
During an interview with newspaper from his hospital bed days after being shot, Smith had said that the gunmen’s intention was to kill but disputed that he or the other occupants of the car could have been the intended targets.
On Tuesday while speaking to Stabroek News he maintained that position.
Smith, Denis Edwards, his cousin Winston Edwards called Abdullah Muhammed and Omali (only name given) were on their way to a mosque in Ruimveldt to pray when they came under heavy gunfire. At the time of the incident Smith was driving, Winston was in the front passenger seat while the other two were seated at the back.
From all accounts, a gunman ambushed them jumping from behind a Canter truck parked at the side of the road and opened fire. The occupants suspected that the man was armed with an AK 47. After he ran out of bullets, according to reports, an accomplice walked up to the car and fired two more shots inside. Smith told this newspaper that during the ordeal they were praying aloud and at the end of it he and Winston were injured. Sixteen 7.62 x 39 and one .32 spent shells were found at the scene, the police said.
