Man shot and business robbed Saturday by masked gunmen

Ajine Joseph, son of journalist Duggie “Nose” Joseph was shot in the face on Saturday night in Arnos Vale.

Joseph and a female companion were hanging out on the tarmac of the decommissioned E.T Joshua Airport in a vehicle when the assault took place.

Reports are that the duo was approached by a gunman who shot Joseph in the face, the bullet piercing his inner jaw and exiting behind his ear.

Joseph is said to have driven himself to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) where he was treated and is said to be in a stable condition.

A source said the attack may have been a robbery gone wrong but SEARCHLIGHT has been unable to confirm this.

This was the second shooting to take place on Saturday as around 4:00 p.m., Gordon Lavia, an employee of the Hills Minimart in Campden Park was shot three times during a robbery at his workplace.

Hills Minimart is probably now the most robbed business in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), having been robbed at gunpoint about six times.

Last Saturday January 20, around 4:00 p.m., Gordon Lavia, an employee of the Hills Minimart was shot three times during a robbery at his workplace.

Reports are that two masked gunmen entered the grocery store and told everyone to get down on the floor after which Lavia was shot in both arms and elsewhere on his body.

He was taken to the MCMH where he is said to be in a stable condition.

This particular minimart has been the target of bandits over the years and was robbed as recently as last December.

In May 2007, a gunman made off with EC$800 cash after robbing cashier, 62-year-old Cecelia DaSilva at gun point. Back then, it was noted that this robbery was the fourth time the business place was being robbed with use of a gun and one person had been jailed for one of the robberies. Cecelia is the sister of the owner.

On Friday July 30, 2010, the mini mart was robbed and the owner, St. Hill DaSilva, shot. DaSilva, was the victim of a gunshot wound to his left leg after four masked men robbed the business place of an undisclosed sum of cash, shortly after 8:15 p.m.

The owner’s brother, Seinto DaSilva was also beaten during the robbery.

Back then he had threatened to close the business that had been operating for 20 years and is popular among residents of the Central Leeward Community.