Bryan Hamilton, 35, proprietor of the Esso fuel station at Buxton, was shot at around 08:00 hrs in his office at the station, witnesses said.

An employee, who was on duty at the time of the shooting, told the Chronicle that a man went into the station and enquired about Hamilton's whereabouts and another worker directed him to the office.

Shortly after, the employee said he heard a shot and immediately ran across the road. While running, about two more shots were fired.

He explained that because of fear and panic, he was not certain how many shots in all were fired.

Police said the bullets were fired through a glass wall, which housed Hamilton's office.

The gunman immediately left the premises, but because of the panic that enveloped the employees, they could not say if he had accomplices.

Police said that two men, at about 07:25 hrs, entered the general business area and in the intervening period, either both or one of them, shot Hamilton.

His firearm and a gold chain he was wearing were missing, Police said, adding that they suspect that the gunmen may have stolen the gun and the gold chain.

The two men escaped through an alleyway south into Buxton, Police said.

An Army patrol vehicle rushed Hamilton, who was bleeding profusely from the chest, to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Shortly after his arrival, he was pronounced dead.

The employee who spoke to the Chronicle said he was very suspicious of the man who was enquiring about the whereabouts of Hamilton, and as such, he was trying to "wink" at (alert) his colleague with whom the man was speaking. Unfortunately, the co-worker did not notice the signal.

On hearing of Hamilton's passing, employees could not restrain their tears, while villagers began flocking the station, which was at the time under tight Police security.

The employees told the Chronicle that Hamilton was a well-liked and respected person at both his workplace and in the community, and was always pleasant and affable.

However, they said that the shooting incident has terrified them so much, that they are now contemplating quitting their jobs there and finding alternative means of employment.

Hamilton was a Lions Club member, and one of his colleague-members recalled that she knew him since she was a little girl.

She remembered how the Hamilton family started out in business from humble beginnings with a snackette at their Buxton residence.

The friend also fondly remembered Hamilton as an extremely nice and jovial person, always willing to assist the less fortunate.