A payment dispute between a shopkeeper and a customer on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, on the Martin Luther Kingweg escalated into a shooting incident. The 24-year-old M.S. sustained an injury to his knee.
The police from Livorno station received a report of the incident and went to the scene to investigate. Upon arrival, officers found the victim.
According to his statement, M.S. regularly bought goods on credit from the 60-year-old shopkeeper L.Y. When money remained after a purchase, that amount was usually offset against his outstanding debt.
On the day in question, M.S. bought two bottles of soft drinks and paid for them. He wanted to receive the remaining amount back, but the shopkeeper refused and wanted to offset the amount against the existing debt.
An argument then broke out. According to the police, M.S. became angry and smashed the supermarket’s cash register with his fists. He then threw a rubbish bin, which was standing at the entrance of the shop, in the direction of the shopkeeper.
M.S. and a friend then ran out of the shop. The shopkeeper allegedly ran after them and fired a shot from the entrance of the supermarket in the direction of M.S. The victim was hit in his knee.
M.S. was taken by ambulance to the Emergency Department of the Academisch Ziekenhuis Paramaribo for medical treatment.
L.Y. was taken by police to Livorno station. The firearm allegedly used in the shooting, two live rounds and a shell casing were seized. The police investigation found that the suspect does not have a licence for the firearm.
After consultation with the Openbaar Ministerie (Public Prosecution Service), L.Y. was taken into custody. The investigation into the incident is continuing.
