And while the police are trying to de-escalate hostilities, violence on George Street continues to rage. 14 shots were fired at a Chinese grocer and his son during a robbery yesterday. We first reported last night about the late evening shooting of 50-year-old Bing Chang Zhao and his 16-year-old son Guang Chao Zhao.
Information was that a young man went into Mei Mei's Shop on George Street and ordered a liter of brandy. He was being served when he pulled out a gun and opened fire. Four shots hit Bing in his left arm and left upper chest. Guang received two shots to his right thigh and abdomen. Both are in the hospital recovering. Police recovered 14 expended 9-millimeter shells from the scene.
The robbery happened mere minutes after police left the area. Senior Superintendent Chester Williams says the shooting wasn't gang related but rather was a crime of opportunity.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams,
"We are urging members of the community who might have information that will be able to assist us in that investigation to please feel free to come in and share the information with us and assist in solving another crime within the George Street area."
Keith Swift,
Is that shooting in any way related to what has been happening?
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams,
"Well basically from our investigation, the shooting is an attempted robbery. We do not believe that it is as a result of any gang rivalry."
Adding trespass to injury, reports are that last night an attempt was made to burglarize Zhao's store.
