A King Street businessman was shot and injured when a gunman opened fire on him late yesterday afternoon during an apparent robbery.
It is unclear if the gunman managed to snatch anything but based on eyewitnesses he may have sustained an injury after a public-spirited citizen fired at the vehicle he fled the scene in.
Hospital officials identified the wounded businessman as Inshan Ali of Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara. He sustained a single gunshot wound to the left palm. Up to press time, he was still receiving treatment at the Georgetown Hospital for the injury.
Relatives who accompanied Ali to the hospital told officials that the man’s son who was with him at the time was also injured but requested to be taken to a private hospital.
Based on what this newspaper was told a lone gunman approached Ali and his son, who were standing outside their store, Style Palace, around 5 pm, moments after locking the doors. It is unclear what happened, but moments later several gunshots were heard and a motor car which was parked nearby sped off.
When Stabroek News arrived at the scene, police investigators were already there and pockets of persons were standing around discussing what had occurred. One young woman said she recalled hearing about six gunshots and when she looked out she saw the store’s owner with a gunshot wound to his hand.
Blood was evident on the section of the sidewalk where Ali was standing when he was shot.
Investigators are hoping that two surveillance cameras which are on a nearby store could give them some leads on the identity of the gunman and his accomplice and the licence plate number of the car they escaped in.
Stabroek News was told by persons on the scene that after the shooting, the gunman jumped into a white car believed to be a Toyota Raum, which was parked at the corner of Robb and King streets.
A public spirited citizen fired several shots behind the car and based on what persons said one hit the gunman on the hand and another hit the left side of the car.
When the shooting occurred there was at least one policeman patrolling on a motorcycle. However, as he attempted to pursue the car, his motorcycle’s chain burst.
The police remained on the scene for some time trying to find clues. It is unclear if any spent shells were recovered.
