Bystander shot during Beryllium robbery needs surgery

Alywn Hall, the father of a 25-year-old woman who was among five persons shot and injured by gunmen who robbed a Beryllium courier, said he is disheartened that some persons, including women, have been applauding the robbers.

"We live in a material world and we know some woman link and deh with the gunman dem, so it's a joy to them to get the money and spend and encourage things like this. Also mi watch the video and the gunman dem get the money so easy, suh dem never have to shoot. Dem never have to shoot anybody. Now mi daughter and others get shot and it stress mi out bad," he said.

The Beryllium employees came under attack from men firing high-powered weapons while they were delivering money to a Scotiabank branch in Mandeville, Manchester, last month. In a viral TikTok video, a group of women praised criminals in relation to the brazen attack.

Hall's daughter, who was admitted at a Corporate Area hospital, needs approximately $1.5 million to purchase the materials for a hip replacement surgery. A GoFundMe account has so far raised US$2,956 (approximately J$445,000) of the US$10,00 goal.

"Right now it a bother mi and mi a wonder how the operation going to work out and mi just have to be calling on mi God. Mi nah question mi God, enuh, and in His hand I am leaving everything," he said as his voice trembled.

Hall, who travels from Manchester to Kingston to visit his daughter, said she is in high spirits, but the incident took him back to 2017 when his son was shot and killed by gunmen who opened fire inside a bar.

"It affect me so much. It was a Friday and him stop at a bar to ask someone something and gunman shoot up the bar, and see my daughter come get shot on a Friday as well. She get shot a day before mi son birthday," he said.

He said he was at home when he got the devastating news about his daughter.

"[She] say 'Daddy mi get shot'. She say she was coming from work when she stop to use the Scotia ATM. Mi know she never dead because if she did dead, she couldn't call mi, but at the same time mi start wonder if she ago survive and mi call pon God for mercy. Mi wife bawl out and mi head to the hospital. She was frightened but she was very stable and she ask mi if mi okay and tell mi say everything ago alright," Hall said.

"The next morning she call we and ask again if we alright and that we must take care of ourselves and mi tell her say we should be the one worrying about her and she say 'Daddy it done happen already and mi ago tough it out', and when she say it, something move inna mi and mi start cry," an emotional Hall said.

The farmer said he has managed to raise $250,000 but that is merely a drop in the bucket.

"She can't walk or anything so she in need of the surgery, but the money I don't have. Mi have to a talk to the hospital because the bill there rising too and we need to pay something up front. Mi thank everybody who assist and willing to assist. I will continue to pray for you and just thanks fi everything," he said.

Persons wishing to assist Alwyn Hall's daughter may contact him at 876-352-0591 or make a donation at https://www.gofundme.com/f/janique-hall-medical-fundraising.