A 32-year-old money-changer is in hospital after being shot yesterday afternoon inside a fast food restaurant on Water Street during a robbery.
The injured man has been identified as Vishwahnauth Nouwbat called ‘Vishal’ of ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown.
Police in a press statement said Nouwbat was shot inside of Popeye’s located on Water and America streets at about 4:15 PM.
According to the statement, Nouwbat was in the company of another person at a table when the suspect approached and demanded that he hand over his day’s earnings which he refused to do. As a result, the suspect whipped out a handgun and shot the victim once to the left side of his abdomen and escaped.
Stabroek News was told that the man was speaking to a young woman when he was approached by a man and shot to his abdomen.
An eyewitness said she saw the shooter walking up to Nouwbat and within seconds she heard the man asking him “where the money deh?”
Nouwbat, in responding, she said, got up and said that he didn’t have any money. As a result, the shooter pulled out his hand gun and released a round which hit Nouwbat.
The shooter then picked up a bag and immediately fled the scene and jumped onto a waiting motorcycle. Stabroek News was told that the girl who was speaking to Nouwbat also hurriedly left the scene.
Meanwhile, other eyewitnesses told Stabroek News that the management of Popeye’s immediately closed their doors. The building was reopened when police arrived on the scene and rushed the man to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
This newspaper learnt that the man was admitted and immediately prepped for emergency surgery.
A Popeye’s employee told Stabroek News that they are co-operating with the police to assist in identifying the shooter. The Police have been given permission to review surveillance footage from the restaurant.
