A 13-year-old boy of Corentyne Berbice is nursing injuries to his right foot after he was shot by a man on Monday morning during an argument over cows.
Police Headquarters say they are yet to apprehend the suspect who is employed by Mool Persaud Maniram called Rakesh, a cattle farmer of Grant 1806 Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice.
According to the police, the suspect resides at his employer’s property at Duck Creek, Corentyne River, where he and two others look after his employer’s cattle.
It is alleged that the little boy’s father also rears animals on a portion of land next to Maniram’s property, and his cows would reportedly damage Maniram’s barbed-wire fence and enter into his property.
At around 07:00hrs on Monday, the father, his son and two employees ventured into Maniram’s property to look for his cows when the suspect confronted them with a shotgun.
Police alleged that an argument ensued between the boy’s father and the suspect during which the father told his 13-year-old son to use his cellphone and video the suspect with the gun.
The suspect reportedly discharged six rounds from the gun in the direction of the man and his son during which a pellet hit the child on his right foot.
The suspect then escaped into the bushes. The 13-year-old was taken to Skeldon Public Hospital, where he was treated and sent away.
“Checks were made for the suspect but he was not contacted. One of the male colleagues of the suspect is in custody assisting with the investigation,” the police noted.
