Young man arrested as probe into taxi driver’s shooting continues

A young man is currently in Police custody after investigators obtained CCTV footage of the shooting incident involving a 31-year-old taxi driver who is now fighting for his life.

The victim, Shaheed Amanat also known as ‘Ryan’, remains in a critical condition after he was shot on Monday night in vicinity of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) office in Region Four at Triumph, ECD.

Police reported that the incident occurred around 23:45 hrs while Amanat, a resident of Annandale, ECD, was driving a motor car. He was accompanied a young man who is now a suspect in the case.

According to initial Police reports, the car was allegedly being pursued by several motorcyclists when a loud sound was heard and the right-side glass of the vehicle shattered. Amanat reportedly lost consciousness moments later, causing the car to veer off the roadway and collide with a metal railing. He was rushed to the Enmore Regional Hospital, where doctors confirmed that he had sustained a gunshot wound to the head.

The News Room was reliably informed that Police are in possession of CCTV footage that captured the incident, and contradictions in the initial story have emerged.

Reliable sources told the News Room that what investigators observed on the video does not align with the version of events provided by the suspect. As a result, he has since been detained as the probe intensifies. The man is reportedly a licensed firearm holder.

The News Room was informed that Amanat and the suspect had been out imbibing earlier in the night and later decided to travel to another location along the East Coast.

Amanat was driving when they encountered a group of men travelling on motorcycles. An exchange reportedly took place between the occupants of the car and the motorcyclists.

Amanat reportedly sped away sometime after, but the motorcyclists followed them to a bar along the East Coast. At that location, both Amanat and the suspect allegedly had a confrontation with the motorcyclists.

They later left the bar, only to realise that the motorcyclists once again mounted their bikes and followed closely behind. While near Triumph, the situation worsened.

According to information obtained by the News Room, it is suspected that the suspect allegedly opened fire on the motorcyclists during which Amanat was accidentally struck.

As the probe continues, Amanat remains hospitalised in critical condition.