ARMED bandits continue to target persons in the mining sector within both urban and rural communities. Within the last four days, two miners have been shot – the first mortally and the other seriously – while they were being robbed of gold and cash at their place of employment. The latest target is 26-year-old Christopher Mann, an administrator of the Gold Mines Corporation at Arakaka, North West District in Region One. A Brazilian national of Bon Fim, Brazil, Mann was shot in the chest, abdomen and arm by two bandits who attacked the mining camp at around 3:00 hrs yesterday.

He was initially treated at the Matthew’s Ridge sub-regional Hospital, but was later air dashed to the city and admitted to a hospital. Although oriented and fully conscious, his condition is listed as critical.

Apart from being shot, Mann was robbed of an undisclosed amount of gold, besides cash and jewellery. A police report said that Mann was in the mining camp when he was confronted by two men who demanded gold. A scuffle ensued, during which he was shot to his body by the men before they escaped.

Security guard at the camp, Guyanese Joseph De Punna, who is attached to a private security service, was relieved of his .38 service revolver and six rounds, but was minimally injured. He has not been hospitalized.

Meanwhile, in an incident that occurred at about 20:00hrs last Wednesday, bandits invaded a home at Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara and shot dead 38-year-old miner Gavin Mc Neal, of 48 Middle Walk Mc Doom, after threatening to slit his daughter’s throat.

He is survived by his wife Melissa Mc Neal, and two daughters, aged 11 and 12.

Mc Neil was mortally wounded by three gunshots to his neck and shoulders. His wife Melissa recalled that one of their daughters was outside the house and was first attacked by the bandits, who demanded that they open up the door and hand over cash and jewellery.

Fearful for their lives, the family initially did not comply with the bandits’ order; but after the bandits threatened to slit the girl’s neck if the door was not opened, the family was forced to comply.

The bandits robbed the family of cash and whatever they considered useful, but still shot and killed Gavin Mc Neal.

Police are continuing their investigations into these incidents.