O.W. shopkeeper shot in face by robbers

This morning forty year old Prakash Makijani, Manager of Babas Variety Store in Orange Walk Town, was taken by air ambulance to Guatemala City. Makijani was shot in the right side of his face Tuesday evening after three armed men entered the shop and held him up along with two female employees. Business was coming to a close around 4:20 when the three assailants walked into the establishment and immediately took all three workers hostage. According to reports, two of the intruders grabbed the women and took them to a corner of the store where one of the assailants held a knife against one of the women’s neck, while the other pulled out a gun and pointed it at Makijani. It was at this point that Makijani told the men, “take everything, but just don’t hurt the girls.” But during the commotion, one of the women panicked and started to shout. That’s when the armed robber pulled the trigger, shooting Makijani in the face. The bullet entered Makijani’s jaw and exited through the left ear. As the manager lay bleeding on the floor, the men grabbed an undisclosed amount of money and then jumped into a car that was apparently waiting for them outside. Makijani was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital, before being transferred to Guatemala. Today authorities report that they have since detained a man in connection with the incident but would not say if that person is one of the suspects. However, sources tell News 5 that the man the police have in custody is a taxi driver who was reportedly seen waiting inside the getaway vehicle. The man has allegedly told police that he does not know the gunmen, but only followed orders after they held him up.