Gunman fired two shots before making getaway in Paul’s Avenue area

A veteran calypsonian who created a buzz with his song “Woodlice in my Pockets” some years ago, is singing a new tune after escaping what could have been a ‘bullet in his back’ last Thursday afternoon.{{more}}

Noel Costello, popularly known by his stage name “Defoe” said he cheated death when the bullet, one of two fired by an armed robber, hit the Bank of SVG building, less than three yards from where he plies his trade as a vendor on a daily basis.

“I dey here for the past 12 years and I never experience anything like this,” Defoe told SEARCHLIGHT on Saturday, two days after the masked bandit took off with a bag of cash and cheques that he took from a St Hill Insurance employee at gunpoint.

The gunman fired two shots before making his escape in the Paul’s Avenue area, just before 4 p.m.

Defoe said he ran without his shoes, leaving money and products behind, for fear for his life.

“All I know I hear two bullets,” Defoe stated.

“When I hear the first one… I hear PLY! I say I aint get sting so I start to roll down the road down there,” (pointing towards Central Market). “Wasn’t too far I reach when I hear the other one; they come one after the other so I didn’t wait for nothing.”

The bard said he was not aware of how close he was to death until two police officers who came to the scene showed him where one of the bullets connected.

“I glad nobody get hurt. When the bullet go over there anything could have happened, if it was not for the mercy of God,” he noted.

According to the Lowmans Hill resident, who claimed that he was the victim of a robbery in the past, things are not the same in the country, and he rests the problem on the shoulders of unemployment.

The calypsonian also had some beliefs on a number of social issues.

“I believe is (unemployment) what causing it because if the people get employment, things would be different. Thank God for the trough system, so that a little work would go on in the country.”

On business employees making deposits on their own: “I feel when a man work hard for what he earn, he have a right to carry his money how he like…”

When asked if he would be making an appearance on the calypso scene this year: “I have songs but I don’t know how it’s going to work out because I feel cheated last year.”

The songwriter also believes that more police officers should be allowed to carry guns while on the beat. This he said could deter would-be bandits from committing crimes. (JJ)