Political activist/talk-show host shot in leg

Political activist and radio talk-show host Barrington “Skippy” Thomas, 42, yesterday recalled his moments of terror when he came face to face with a gun-toting bandit who ordered him to lie on the ground, shot him in both legs and then drove away with his Toyota Corolla Axio on Wednesday night.

Thomas is unsure why he was shot and robbed of his car, but believes it may have been a crime of opportunity or someone sent to cause him harm.

Yesterday his main concern was about getting better and returning to the airwaves of Power 102 and continuing his work as a political activist.

Thomas, who describes himself as a fighter, said he was ready to discharge himself from hospital because he is not accustomed to being bedridden and people taking care of him.

The Champs Fleurs resident said he was returning home at about 9 pm when he saw a young man walking past his home. He said as he drove into his yard, he was accosted by the same man who pointed a gun at him, told him to lie on the ground and told him not to move.

He said within seconds, the man shot him in both legs and then drove away with his car.

Thomas started screaming for help and neighbours responded almost immediately, but they too started screaming hysterically.

Thomas said,“With all the bawling I had to remain calm and ask one of my neighbours to retrieve a belt from my apartment which I used to tie my legs to stop the bleeding.”

He was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. Yesterday he said he was waiting for a consultant to say whether he needed surgery to remove the bullets.

Sgt Katwaroo of the St Joseph CID is continuing enquiries.