- Farmer shot in confrontation

According to Khan, he was about to close his hardware store to go to the Masjid when one of the men walked in and enquired about the price of an item.

“At the time, the grill door was halfway open because I was just walking out of the counter area to close the main door of the shop,” the businessman said.

He added that one of the men approached him and gave him a list of items he claimed he wanted to buy.

However, as Khan studied the list, a man came in the counter area and placed a gun to his head and began demanding cash.

“Them carry away all the GT&T phone cards I had in the shop, my cell phone and a pouch containing over a $100,000,” Khan said.

He noted that all the men carried handguns. He described one of the bandits as being tall and `red' in complexion while the other was short and dark complexioned.

According to Khan, the men hit him on the mouth while demanding cash.

He said that as they were about to leave, the light complexioned thief picked up his vehicle's key and escaped with his colleagues.

The police were informed and the vehicle was recovered aback Water Tank Street , Grove.

Khan told Kaieteur News that he and his father had a joint firearm license for about 15 years. However, when his father died in 1996, his license was revoked.

“After my firearm license was revoked, I reapplied but up to now, it hasn't been approved. I think that if I don't get back that firearm, I will be leaving the country because I am scared for myself and family... This is not the first time I have had a confrontation with bandits,” Khan added.

A resident in the Caneville area, where the vehicle was recovered, said he saw three men leaving the vehicle and heading towards Caneville but did not suspect that anything was amiss.

“I see these three men come out of a gold colour pickup and calmly walking going towards Caneville side. I thought them was some dredge owners come fuh collect workers. Is when the police vehicle come up about 20 minutes after then I hear that these men rob somebody.”

After the vehicle was recovered, armed policemen ventured into the Caneville area in search of the three bandits.

The police said as they advanced, the bandits opened fire. The cops returned fire and during this crossfire, Caneville farmer James Perryman was accidentally shot.

“I was sitting on the corner when them come down shooting in the air and suh I began to run home when them fire a shot at me. About 15 pellets catch me in me back,” Perryman said.

The bandits managed to escape.