Dutch Quarter: --- The manager and cashier of the Food Club Supermarket (Afoo Group) was shot dead on Wednesday evening. According to eyewitnesses some men dressed in dark clothing entered the supermarket with shotguns and opened fire. The manager who is well known in the community as Eric was pronounced dead on the scene by the police doctor. SMN News learnt that at least three persons were shot during the shootout.
On the scene were several police officers from the Armed Robbery Unit as well as Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos and Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Daphne Francesca.
On the main road and alongside alley next to the supermarket several bystanders and friends of the deceased man gathered outside as the investigators gathered their evidence. Most of the onlookers were in complete disbelief as the victim is well known and extremely friendly to his customers. His long time partner also collapsed on the scene as the undertakers removed the body of the slain businessman. Eric it is understood celebrated his birthday on Tuesday.
Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said the police central received a phone call around 7:50 pm informing them that a robbery was taking place at the Food Club and gunshots were heard.
Henson said based on preliminary information at least four men entered the supermarket all of them armed with shotguns. The police spokesman said that as the robbers entered the supermarket and they began firing shots, he said they then proceeded to the office where they found the manager where he was robbed of an undisclosed amount of monies. Henson said it is understood that after the monies were taken the bandits turned around and shot the businessman, he said at least five gunshots were fired during the robbery. Henson based on how the incident took place police is now trying to piece together why the bandits shot Eric since they had already robbed him. Also shot was a female who was shot somewhere in the leg area while a bullet grazed another person, the victim he said was shot to the chest by a shotgun which resulted in his death. A spent shell belonging to a shotgun was also found in the parking lot. Police believed the robbers escaped by foot.
In the meantime, police department is calling on all eyewitnesses who saw what took place to call the police tip-line 9300 with whatever information they may have. Henson said police need the assistance of the general public and as such he urged anyone who might have seen what took place to contact them.
