Zeelugt businessman shot by gunmen

Jul 08, 2008 News

At around 18:20hrs on Sunday, bandits entered the home of 38-year-old Shazam Khan, shot him twice, and then escaped.

Khan, of Zeelugt on the East Bank of Essequibo, is currently nursing gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen at a city hospital.

A neighbour who declined to be identified told this newspaper that the incident took place within the space of less than five minutes.

He said that he does not recall hearing any gunshots, but then suddenly, he saw a large crowd of people gathered in front of Khan’s home. It was then that he learnt that the businessman had been shot.

A police statement said that Shazam Khan was with relatives under his home when two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, entered the premises.

The armed man discharged rounds at Shazam Khan, hitting him in his chest and abdomen, after which they escaped.

The neighbour told this newspaper that persons recalled seeing the two men escaping in a waiting car parked not far from Khan’s home.
Meanwhile, the man’s wife, Christina Khan, said that she currently fears for her life.

The woman said yesterday that she is still trying to understand the reason why the gunmen would want only to shoot her husband, and not rob the family of any valuables. In tears, Mrs. Khan said that her husband does not have any enemies.

She recalled that, at the time of the incident, Khan was inside the house and she was on the road with their two children.

After she realized what was happening, she began screaming for “thief! thief! Bandits! Bandits!”
She added that the men then shot her husband and ran out of the house. Khan’s condition is listed as stable.

The police have since recovered two .32 spent shells at the scene.
Investigations are continuing.