Dead is businessman Barbot Paul, 54, of 312 Second Field, who was shot by the gunmen as they attacked and robbed his S&N Sunrise Flat Shop - Grocery and Variety Shop which he operated along with his reputed wife, Latifan.

According to Police, around 21:10 h, Paul and his wife were attracted by shouts of “Thief! Thief!” from the street.

The businessman went to close the gate of his premises when he was confronted by one of the men who shot him in his back and took away his licensed .32 Taurus pistol, police said.

Latifan, 54, told this newspaper that around 21:10 h, her husband told her to close the shop, and she was about to do so when she saw a gunman standing on the step leading into the yard.

She said before she had time to react, the gunman began firing several shots in her husband’s direction.

Latifan said her husband, who was a licensed firearm holder, retaliated by firing his pistol, telling her to hide.

Her husband fell as she hid behind a kennel, she related.

The five armed men then entered the grocery store and took away an undisclosed sum of cash, jewellery and four cellular phones, she said.

They took with them the slain businessman’s 14-year old granddaughter, who they found hiding in a bedroom, to his home a short distance away, where they attempted to open a safe which contained Paul’s licensed shotgun.

They could not open the safe, released the girl and then escaped on foot.

Yesterday, the girl was still in a state of shock.

Her grandmother, Latifan, said the teen was also held at gunpoint when bandits invaded the shop two years ago.

While on their way to the businessman’s home, the bandits discharged several shots at minibus BGG 6246 which was approaching with several passengers.

Passenger Neville Bagot, 46, of Fourth Street, Kaneville, was hit on his left shoulder and was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

The rear windscreen of the vehicle was also damaged.

Bullet holes were visible in various parts of the building and family members said they were still picking up spent shells in the yard.

Police said nine spent shells and two warheads were recovered at the scene.

Tuesday, August 08, 2006