– Police hunt key suspects

BY ANDREW CARMICHAEL

A Berbice businessman and fuel distributor is now hospitalised after he was attacked by armed bandits on Monday. The

The injured Deon Primus in hospital

attack has launched a Police manhunt for key suspects connected to the incident.
The incident occurred at New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). According to reports reaching Guyana Times, Deon Primus, also known as “Confusion”, was shot to his jaw as he was about to drive his canter truck into his Lot 3-38 Stanleytown yard at about 19:20h.
The 38-year-old man received one gunshot to the jaw shortly after seeing two men approaching him. According to the injured man, he quickly wound up the window but was still shot.
Shortly after the shot was fired, residents saw two men riding away from the scene.
Julius Dey, an eyewitness, reported that he heard when Primus was coming down the street and was prepared to open the door for him. “The next thing I heard is a gunshot. I came out through the door and was able to distinguish that there was a short dark skin slim person that was approaching the driver… by this time the window was already shattered with the gunshot. I began shouting. Neighbours came out and he ran away.”
Dey noted that the criminals did not get to Primus because of his timely intervention.
Primus was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where doctors immediately tried to stop the bleeding. According to a source close to the medical team, several pellets were lodged in Primus’ jaw and throat area.
The source said because of the continuous bleeding it was impossible to perform any surgery on Monday evening. Reports are the shooter used a shot gun in what is believed to have been a failed robbery attempt.
Primus has an arrangement where he purchases dieseline and gasoline for persons who have businesses and reside in the Upper Berbice River.
Dey explained that through that arrangement, Primus would receive cash at the New Amsterdam Market Wharf and take the fuel back to the wharf.
Earlier in the day, Primus was seen with large sums of money at a petrol station.
In April last, there was a similar attempt to rob Primus who on that occasion was hit in the head after he had arrived in his yard. He was hospitalised but was not relieved of any valuables.
Police are investigating. No arrests were made up to press time.