World Boxing Association junior welterweight champion Vivian Harris narrowly escaped being killed early last Sunday morning in New York after five shots were fired at his 2003 Range Rover.
The 25-year-old Harris escaped unharmed but his vehicle was badly damaged when it crashed into another vehicle at the corner of Albany Avenue and Rutland Road in Brooklyn while evading the attackers.
A source close to the champion told Stabroek Sport that Vivian and some Guyanese got into an argument early last Sunday morning at a club in Albany Avenue.
"Some friends held this party for Vivian and there were these guys who were trying to dis `Sixhead' (Andrew Lewis) and other Guyanese boxers. Vivian told them that `Sixhead' was the first from our country to win a world title and should be respected," the source said.
"It seemed that it ended there but when Vivian was about to leave at around 4:30 am they (three Guyanese) followed him outside and an argument ensued.
Vivian jumped in the passenger side of his vehicle and pulled off," the source continued.
It was related that the trio trailed Harris' vehicle and attacked soon after Harris stopped to drop off a passenger. "We pulled off and they started firing. Five shots were fired. Two hit Vivian's vehicle, " the source said.
In the bid to escape, Harris' vehicle, driven by a friend crashed into a car. "It was a real bad sight. They had to cut the car to get the passenger out," the source said.
When contacted the WBA champion confirmed the attempt on his life and that the police were investigating. He also claimed that his attackers were Guyanese.
Speaking from his Brooklyn home he said that the incident had shaken him a bit but he remained strong and would continue on the road to become the undisputed junior welterweight champion of the world.
"God was with me and I'm alive today. I love the hood but if the hood does not appreciate me then I'll have to isolate myself from the hood," the world champion said.
"It was definitely an attempt on my life. Someone opens fire on you means that they want to kill you.
My entire life has changed because of what happened."
Asked what could have triggered the episode Harris explained that his recent success in the ring had brought along its fair share of antagonists.
"There are a lot of haters out there. I think that my success and popularity don't go down too well with some people.
I try to stay in the hood and be nice but people just want to see you fall...I still love my country and my people but I think that the time has come for me to isolate myself."
In October of 2002 Harris became the third representative from this country to win a world title when he stopped champion Diobelys Hurtado in the second round. The fighter made one defence of the title in July.
"What happened will not take me off my aim. I'll still be the best junior welterweight in the world and continue until I'm the undisputed champion of the world."