A young Berbice resident died in a city hospital on Friday evening, some two days after he was shot to the abdomen with pellets when a lone gunman attacked him as he entered his premises.
Twenty-one-year-old Caitanya Kishundyal of Lot 28 First Street, Swamp Section, Rose Hall, Berbice died around 8 pm on Friday in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
According to a police press release, the incident occurred around 22:00 hrs on Wednesday while Kishundyal was closing the gate to his residence. The statement said he was confronted by a man with a firearm during which a scuffle ensued and he was shot to his abdomen. The assailant escaped.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum yesterday confirmed that three persons are currently in custody as investigations into the matter continues.
Speaking to this newspaper yesterday, Aruna Kishundyal, sister-in-law of the dead man said Kishundyal left his home on Wednesday evening to attend a religious function held at the Skeldon Hare Krishna Temple, where he is an active member.
She said based on reports the young man had just dropped off some church members and had arrived home when tragedy struck.
She explained that Caitanya had just entered the yard and parked his motor vehicle when he was approached by a man as he exited to close the gate. The man placed a gun to his abdomen and Caitanya tried to push him off and was shot.
The family believes home invasion may have been the motive, while noting that there were three other men hiding behind a fence.
The four men escaped and Caitanya, despite being shot tried to follow them, before calling for his mother and collapsing. He was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital and transferred to the GPH the following day.
Throughout his stay at the GPH, his condition was listed as critical. He also suffered a heart failure and had undergo surgery to remove the pellets which were lodged in his body, his relatives said.
Caitanya was scheduled to undergo another operation on Friday but could not because of his condition. The family, however, praised the doctors for trying their best to save him.
He was described as a very peaceful person who was not known to have differences with anyone.
His body is at the GPH mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination which is expected to be conducted tomorrow.
Caitanya leaves to mourn his parents, only brother and the many members of the Skeldon Hare Krishna Temple.
