The city peddler who was shot outside the Bourda Market died last night at the Georgetown Hospital Corporation.
Sanjay Persaud had been shot in the stomach around 9.30 pm and had been in critical condition
Persaud, 40, of Sisters Village, was reportedly stripped of gold jewellery during the brazen attack.
Reports are that the shooting occurred around 9:30 pm opposite the market constabulary at Bourda market. Persaud, popularly known as “Father,” is a well-known peddler and at the time of the incident he was in the company of a group of youngsters who ply the same trade.
Eyewitness accounts describe the incident as a “wild gun play” after the two men approached Persaud and asked him for a “light.” Less than three minutes after, Persaud was shot, robbed and left lying on the road. “Is bare shots de licking…this is not no talk I talking yuh know, these men pull out guns and just start displaying on the road. These men shoot like wild, but is only ‘Father’ really get target,” Seon Goodridge recounted at the hospital last night.
Goodridge, baring his emotions as he spoke, said that he and Persaud are “hustlers” who work the streets everyday, walking and selling items.
Prior to the shooting, Goodridge recalled that the group was at Merriman’s Mall hanging out when one of the gunmen approached him over an old story.
The man was alone at the time and was demanding money that Goodridge owed him. Goodridge said he made the payment and the man left.
The group then moved to the market to have a few more drinks when two men, one from earlier on the mall, approached them and asked for a light. Goodridge said that the request seemed strange, but before anyone could respond the men pulled guns. “I see dese men pull out guns and right away I seh trouble deh hay… Next thing I know ‘Father’ on de ground bleeding. Is jus suh these men roll up on we and rob ‘Father’, boy,” Goodridge added.
Stephon Phillips, another friend, said he tried to wrestle the gun from one of the men after the weapons were drawn but he was unsuccessful. Phillips recalled that he initially panicked after the men flashed the guns, but within a few seconds he was fighting with one of them. Phillips recounted how he held firm on the man’s wrist and tried to knock the gun from his hands when rounds were discharged.
But as Phillips challenged the gunman the other one had the gun pointed at his friends, including Persaud.
Phillips said he realized the man was stronger and decided against putting up a fight. As soon as he released the gun, he said, the man turned it on Persaud and shot him. “I see this man just turn to ‘Father’ and shoot he…blam! I said is wha is dis and I just start ducking because was me next,” Phillips added.
A market constable who was alerted by the gunshots told Stabroek News last night that he called the police after the young men rushed over to report what happened. The police turned up promptly and transported the injured Persaud to the hospital.
Many persons gathered at the hospital last night, mostly friends of the injured man, decried the attack, saying that Persaud was like a father to the youths that are also peddling in the city.
They said that he mentors many of young men working on the street. “All ah we does do business and hustle and suh, but ‘Father’ is the man who we does look up to and respect. This is a good brethren… a real alright man,” Goodridge said.
Police were at the hospital last night taking statements from eyewitnesses.
