…miner critical at GPHC, other victim stable
Thirty-two year old John Xavier, the miner shot in his abdomen by bandits during an armed robbery at the Cornbread Bar, D’Urban Street, on Monday night, yesterday remained in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC). His colleague, Orin John, 48, with whom he was drinking at the time, remains warded at the High Dependency Unit and is responding favourably to treatment. John sustained gunshot wounds to the shoulder, but was yesterday fully conscious and in a stable condition.

The two men were attacked around 21:00hrs, while at the popular business spot at the corner of D’Urban and Lime Streets, ‘having some drinks’.  They were approached by two men who drove up on CG motor cycles, pointed a gun at them and demanded that they turn over their money.

One of the targeted patrons impulsively asked the men “Wha’ you talking ‘bout?”. A scuffle ensued and one of the men fired, hitting Xavier in the abdomen and John in the shoulder. They robbed their victims of an undisclosed amount of cash and jewellery and fled.
Even as other patrons dived for cover, a few level-headed ones managed to put through cell phone calls to the police, but claimed they got no response.
Meanwhile, it was some time before the bandits were able to leave the scene of the crime, since they had trouble getting their motor cycle started.
The injured were subsequently picked up by public spirited persons and rushed to the GPHC, where they were promptly attended to.

Meanwhile, persons gathered outside the Cornbread pub following the shooting incident, claimed that earlier in the evening, Xavier and John, who wore ‘heavy jewellery’ were sporting at the Corner Kick Bar, a stone’s throw away, but later moved to Cornbread where they continued the spree. While at Corner Kick, the men were observed carrying thick wads of cash, observers said.

Xavier hails from Rupununi, Region 9, but resides at Harlem, West Coast Demerara, while John is from St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Upper Demerara River.
Police are continuing their investigations.