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A Chinese business owner survived two shots to the upper body on Friday night. 45 year old Song Qing Gu is in a stable condition art the KHMH – and as Jacqueline Godwin found out today, his story is another tale of unwarranted and excessive gun violence. Here’s her story.

Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Forty two year old Rong Ju Kong and her husband forty five year old Song Qing Gu left mainland china for a better life in Belize. They have been working hard to make that a reality at their grocery shop and fry chicken business place at fifty one Amara Avenue. But around eight thirty on Saturday night, their dreams were shattered when the husband and father was shot in cold blood. Luckily, Song Qing Gu’s injuries were not fatal but he remains hospitalized with gunshot wounds to his left jaw and upper left chest.

When I visited with a tearful Rong Ju Kong she told me that the shooter described as a dark complexioned young man first approached the burglar bar window and asked for two packs of noodles, a pack of biscuit and a five dollar fry chicken but that when he was served he searched his pants pockets and said he had no money. Then in an angry voice he told her to take back the fry chicken. That is when he pulled out a gun, pointed it through this opening where customers are served from the burglar bar window and pulled the trigger.

Song Qing Gu a former high school principal from mainland China was standing by these shelves when he was shot several times.

Jacqueline Godwin,
“So he pulled out the gun and shot your husband?”

Rong Ju Kong, Wife of Shooting Victim
“Shot my husband. My husband fell backwards and the blood starting coming out. I phoned my husband’s brother.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“How many times was your husband shot, one, two, three times?”

Rong Ju Kong,
“Three times.”

Since 2001 the Chinese family has been serving the community and area residents after hearing the gunshots rushed to their aid, a gesture which they are most grateful.

Rong Ju Kong,
“Me work hard. Today in the morning a lot of people asked me if my husband feel good and I said thank you very much. It makes me very very happy.”

Lee Mark Chang the President of the Belize Chinese Association admits that crime has increased but that it will take an effort from everyone to combat it.

Lee Mark Chang, President - Chinese Association
“Yes it has escalated in a sense but crime in general, it is Belize City’s concern, not only the Chinese Association’s concern. It is everyone’s concern.”

Today as Rong Ju Kong looks through the same window through which her husband was shot, she says they cannot afford to close the business.

Rong Ju Kong,
“We won’t close the shop, we will still open the business because we owe people a lot of money. We work hard.”

Lee Mark Chang says they are not happy about what happened and they have not only helped to fight crime but tried to help whenever one of their own is affected by it.

Lee Mark Chang,
“Well the Chinese Association has an emergency fund set aside for instances like this weekend’s case. But this weekend’s case was luckily best case scenario.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“What you mean best case scenario?”

Lee Mark Chang,
“The guy didn’t die. He suffered gunshot wounds yes but it wasn’t as life threatening as others that have happened in the past. But if it is the worst case scenario and surgery is needed then money needs to be deposited first so we have an emergency fund set aside that if at anytime the money cannot be raised we come forward and put the money upfront to make sure that he receives the proper medical attention needed.”

And just who shot forty five year old Song Qing Gu? Well police say they are looking for two suspects. The gunman reportedly rode off on a bicycle after shooting his victim. Jacqueline Godwin reporting for 7News.

According to Belize City Police the shooter has been described as a dark complexioned slim built young man who had a low hair cut and wore a black t shirt at the time.