A 31-year-old East Coast Demerara miner was shot on Monday afternoon after he failed to return a quantity of raw gold, which he allegedly owed a Venezuelan national.
Stabroek News understands that Teon Moffatt, of Haslington, East Coast Demerara, was attacked between 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm, at Arau Mountain Top, Region Seven, while he was returning to his sleeping camp.
He was shot twice in his left leg and was taken to the Arau Medical Centre for treatment.
The suspect, a Venezuelan national whose identity remains unknown, managed to escape and is yet to be apprehended.
Reports reaching this newspaper revealed that Moffatt had just left “Vishnu mining camp” and was walking to his sleeping camp, when he noticed the suspect approaching from the opposite direction.
Upon his arrival, the suspect stopped Moffatt and requested that he return a quantity of raw gold worth $15,000, which he owed him.
However, the injured man explained to the suspect that he did not have any gold in his possession at that time.
As a result, the suspect became annoyed, whipped out a firearm, and shot Moffatt, who fell to the ground.
The suspect then escaped into the nearby bushes.
Stabroek News understands that a police investigation has since been launched into the incident and efforts are being made to arrest the suspect.
