A Sociabank employee remains warded at hospital in a serious condition, after he was shot in the abdomen and robbed in front his workplace yesterday morning.
Rostan Mahabir, 28, of Carapichaima, suffered serious internal injuries and underwent emergency surgery at the San Fernando General Hospital, police said. Shortly after the incident, his Facebook friends used the forum to make an appeal for blood donors.
“Please donate blood to Rostan Mahabir. He is warded at San Fernando General Hospital. Go to the blood bank before 3 pm! Blood type A+. You can also go to Gulf View Medical!” was one of the many similar posts.
The incident took place shortly before 8 am, as Mahabir, a premiere relationship officer, arrived at the bank at the corner of Penitence and High Streets. He was approaching the entrance when he was accosted by a man who grabbed his computer bag and other items. Mahabir held on to his bag and was shot once in the abdomen. The gunman then ran off.
In a press statement, Scotiabank said they are working with the authorities and counselling has been provided to their employees.
The release added, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the employee and his family at this time. We are also helping the other employees at the branch with counselling to help them cope with the incident.”
The bank assured that the safety and security of their employees and customers was their top priority.
“And we take this matter very seriously,” the bank stated.
A team of police officers, led by Insp Don Gajadhar, and including Sgt Ramroop, Cpl Pulchan, Cpl Bacchus, Cpl Pulchan and Mohammed, PC Clarence and PC Moses and PC Clarence, are investigating the incident. The team intends to view surveillance footage from the bank and other businesses in and around the area to assist them in identifying the shooter. Up to late yesterday no one was arrested.