Last weekend – an Indian restaurant owner got shot trying to defend his business on West Canal from marauding gunmen.
But there would be no replay of that at noon today – as a Chinese shopkeeper on East Canal didn’t miss when she aimed
her 38 revolver.
The Chinese shop-owner known to the neighborhood as “Kim” did it like her name was annie oakley.
She told us her story – and gave us a lesson in tolerance.
Jules Vasquez, Reporting
Police gathered outside Kim’s Store at the corner of East Canal and South Street at 12:30 this afternoon to pick up clues.
Proprietor Jia Weiyao also known as Kim says that the robber slipped open this side door, and walked into the store as she was behind the counter.
Fearing a violent confrontation, she put up no resistance and walked out, as he walked in.
Jia Weiyao, Proprietor, Kim’s Store
“Okay, I didn’t want to fight him, so I’m thinking if I fight him, somebody will get hurt”
And the person she most didn’t want ot get hurt was her daughter – who was upstairs.
And so she stood back and watched from the sidewalk as he walked out with the cash and the change pan, and she kept watching as he jumped on his bike and rode off.
And that’s when she stopped watching and took out her weapon – a licensed 38 pistol that she had in her pocket – and took aim.
She shot him in the back and watched him ride off with blood spurting from his back.
He came here, about a mile and half away – at the corner of north creek and kraal road.
He is believed to have gone into this house for shelter. But he couldn’t get up the stairs and collapsed here – you can see the blood stains – and then tumbled into the grass.
He then gave up on the stairs and tried to go into this door – and then finally went into this open area and tried to change his bloody clothes. Police would later find those clothes hidden under this tree.
He is believed to have then jumped into a taxi and headed for the King’s Park area, which is where police intercepted him. They took him to the KHMH where he is still being treated for a gunshot wound.
Kim who is a practiced shooter says she never meant to kill him:
Jia Weiyao, Proprietor, Kim’s Store
“But me don’t wanna kill him; me no wah kill nobody. I just wanted to hurt him, the next time he don’t come mess round with me. I don’t mess around with anybody; I am a working woman, always people come around and I help people. I don’t chance anybody; I don’t thief anybody, I am a nice person.
A nice person…and as she and her Belizean husband Terry have run this family owned business at this location for the last five years – she says she’s not afraid:
Jia Weiyao, Proprietor, Kim’s Store
I am not afraid for my life because I don’t want anyone to hurt my daughter, and I don’t want anyone to hurt my family…everybody dies one time. And if I don’t mess around with people, they don’t mess around with me. And If I have a chance I will hurt back.
G Michael Reid, Police Press Officer
“People have a right to protect their life and their property, by law, everybody does. So I think if people continue to aggress the businesspeople, invariably this is what it will lead to.”
Jia Weiyao, Proprietor, Kim’s Store
“Yes, I am Chinese, but whether I am Chinese or not, any kind of people, we have blood the same way, black or white, any kind of people, I love. If anyone comes to me and asks for help, I help them. I am not mean; I don’t look at people and say ‘You are a different colour that I don’t like.’ Any colour I like. I love anybody.”
Police have confirmed that the man they intercepted is Stackles Monsanto – who is no stranger to police. As we noted, he is at the KHMH being treated for a gunshot wound to the back.
