A 33-year-old Friendship, East Bank Demerara contractor is critically injured after he was allegedly shot in the abdomen during a confrontation with a 54-year-old farmer and his son on Monday.
Police said the incident occurred between 14:00hrs and 15:00hrs at Friendship, East Bank Demerara, and is being investigated as alleged discharging of a loaded firearm with intent and unlawful wounding.
According to preliminary investigations, the 54-year-old farmer of Providence, East Bank Demerara, and his 26-year-old son had gone to their farmland with a tractor to clear and prepare the land for farming.
Police said that while leaving the area, the two entered another person’s farmland with a rifle and allegedly began shooting at iguanas.
The investigation has so far found that the 33-year-old contractor was fishing in nearby bushes with five other men when they emerged and confronted the farmer and his son about the gunfire.
An argument reportedly followed, during which police said the 54-year-old farmer allegedly fired the rifle in the direction of the men, striking the contractor in his abdomen.
The other men then reportedly demanded that the farmer hand over the firearm, but police said he refused.
A confrontation followed, during which the farmer and his son were allegedly chopped about their bodies before the firearm was taken and the men fled the area.
All three injured men were taken to the Diamond Regional Hospital.
The contractor sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen and underwent emergency surgery. He remains in critical condition.
His 26-year-old alleged assailant sustained chop wounds to his head, left eyebrow, left hand and right elbow, while the 54-year-old farmer sustained a chop wound to his left hand. Both are listed as stable.
Police said two live rounds and two spent shells were recovered during the investigation.
Acting on further information, ranks later returned to the area and recovered a bolt-action rifle and magazine, which have been lodged pending further investigation.
Investigations are continuing.
Source: NEW ROOMS SITE
