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Businessman wounded by gunmen during robbery
– passerby hit by stray bullet
By Zena Henry
Several persons were sent scampering for safety after bandits opened fire on a businessman during a daring daylight robbery just outside of the Supreme Court compound yesterday. The victim was struck twice in the right leg. A woman who was at the time exiting the court premises at Charlotte Street was hit in the left leg by a stray bullet.
Shot and robbed: John Karpen
John Karpen, 58, called ‘Lex’ of Little Abary, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, said his assailants managed to escape with at least $217,000. While awaiting medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Karpen recalled two men on a motorcycle riding up alongside his minibus, PJJ 7888, and demanding that he hand over what he had.
The man said it was just after noon that he left Scotiabank on Carmichael Street and had returned to Charlotte Street, between King Street and Avenue of the Republic (more specifically between City Hall and the Supreme Court),where hire cars and minibuses are usually situated.
The businessman said he was seated in his vehicle for a short time when he started to chat with a friend. Soon after, two men pulled up on the passenger side of the minibus and the pillion rider whipped out a handgun and pointed it in his direction.
“When he (bandit) pull the gun and point it at me I buss de door and I run, but when I run out there was a motorbike there so I tried to get cover to come back.” The businessman, who is a licensed firearm holder and owner of a 9mm pistol, said he attempted to reach for his gun to return fire, “…but it was during the course of running, these guys shot at me. They fired two shots. I realized I got hit, but when I turned around to shoot back there were people in the way, so the men were able to jump on their motorbike and escape”.
Meanwhile, 31-year-old Cherelee Cosbert, also an East Coast of Demerara resident, said she had just finished conducting business in the High Court and was exiting through the Charlotte Street gateway, when she recalled hearing gunshots and falling to the ground.
“I start feeling my feet feeling heavy, and then I realize I get shot in my left leg,” the woman told Kaieteur News. Cosbert said she was subsequently assisted by public-spirited citizens who took her to the hospital.
Back at the scene, several persons lingered, chatting about the shooting, while Criminal Investigation Department (CID) ranks combed the area for clues and took statements from those who were present. Several persons had reportedly witnessed the incident but said they were not aware that something was afoot until they saw the man run out of his vehicle and shortly after hearing gunshots.
One man said the assailants escaped via Avenue of the Republic, racing away on the motorcycle.
Karpen opined that there is a possibility that his attackers had traced him from the bank. The man said he made a stop at a gas station before returning to the hire car park, and soon after, the attackers came. He further recounted that the black pouch carrying the cash was located next to the gear stick in his minibus. After he ran out of the vehicle, the men grabbed the pouch.
Karpen also related that he has various businesses in his community and conducts a minibus business. He did not rule out the possibility of the robbery being orchestrated against him.
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