33-year-old Herbert Parham, the manager at the Buca Shell Gas Station on the Northern Highway, is recovering at Belize Medical Associates after he was shot during a robbery attempt over the weekend. Tonight police say they have no suspects for the robbery which occurred just before 6 on Saturday morning at the gas station which is located at mile 2 and a half. Parham was shot once to his right leg and once to his right palm. But it could have been far, far worse - the gunman opened fire on Parham and let off at least 13 shots.
Parham had just opened for the day and was turning on the pumps at the station when three young men accosted him. One of those young men was armed with a 9-millimeter pistol and had a red rag tied over his face. An attendant who witnessed the attack spoke to us today but asked to remain off camera.
Gas Station Attendant,
"I heard one shot and that's when I got up and I was going to towards him to see actually what was happening. After that I heard more shots and that's when I ran outside to do a call to call for the police."
But before the police could get there - another employee and found her boss on the ground bleeding to death.
Gas Station Employee,
"I was parking when I saw Mark came and told me that Mr. P. Got shot. So I jumped into car and hurriedly drove my car to the back. And when I came in I saw him lying on the ground with two gunshot wounds - one in his arm and one in his leg. I was so frightened and I went outside and hollered for help and so some people heard me and they helped me."
The gunman fired at least thirteen shots - only two hit Herbert Parham. Three of the bullets found their way into the office- damaging the door and this filing cabinet but ultimately saving the life of the manager. Employees say the three men escaped by swimming across this river, which leads to where a getaway car was parked in Lake Independence.
Gas Station Attendant,
"When we got back here, I saw the two guys were swimming across the river while the police got here about ten to fifteen minutes after the call."
Gas Station Employee,
"It was so scary at that moment, all we want is for us to find those people because we really love our boss and everybody is so depressed here at work."
And while he is lucky to be alive his injuries are serious: the bullet shattered the bone in Parham's right leg. He has been the manager at the gas station for 11 years.
As mentioned, the robbers swam off without taking anything. In fact on the other side of the river police found a blue vest, camouflage jacket, duct tape, school bags, a dory, and a white four-door Honda Sonata. Police originally detained three suspects who were seen running from the area shortly after the shooting but they have been released. An eyewitness has come forward and told police that the men detained had nothing to do with the robbery.
