Residents of Hardina Street took cover last evening when bandits unleashed a barrage of gunfire, moments after robbing a man of jewellery outside Hooters Bar.
When this newspaper arrived at the Hardina and Bent streets location, the business was closed and the staff and other persons were standing outside discussing what had transpired.
According to the reports reaching Stabroek News, around 6:30 pm two young men who were described as “short”, went up to two men who were sitting outside the Bar and demanded that one of them hand over some jewellery he was wearing.
From all accounts there were others nearby and this may have prompted the men to discharge rounds in the air to ensure that they could escape.
Persons who were at the business did not divulge any information to Stabroek News when approached.
One woman who lives on Hardina Street recalled hearing “plenty shots” and she immediately sought cover under her bed. She said that she later learnt that a robbery had occurred at the Bar.
Other residents recounted that after committing the robbery, the bandits ran down Hardina Street shooting all the way to Hadfield Street where they boarded a car that was waiting for them.
No one in that area could recall a robbery at the Bar in recent times and one resident pointed out “dem bandits brazen man. Look how this place bright and dem comin fuh rob people”.
The corner where the Bar is situated is brightly lit. Yesterday, persons in the area were thankful that no one was injured during the attack.
Residents said that they made several calls to the police and 45 minutes later they still had not arrived.
While this newspaper was outside the Bar, a detective arrived and commenced investigations.
It is believed that the duo in last evening’s incident were the perpetrators in a Norton Street robbery on Wednesday during which Joseph Coddette was shot in the abdomen.
Coddette was admitted a patient of the High Dependency Unit of a city hospital. According to reports, the Field Manager attached to Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) was outside Quick Stop Snackette playing a game of dominoes when he was attacked by the bandits, one of whom snatched his chain. Coddette resisted and was shot.
His condition is listed as serious. When Stabroek News visited the hospital yesterday he was conscious and had earlier undergone surgery to remove the bullet. (Zoisa Fraser)
