UPDATE: Gunshot victim slowly on the mend

TYRONE Calasse (53) is recovering at St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban following a heist in which he was shot three times, once in the lower part of his head.

Police this week told the ZO they are still investigating the case of business robbery and attempted murder which had been opened following the incident.

Calasse was shot at the beginning of this month during a robbery of a store he worked at in Hlabisa.

Tyrone’s wife, Lynda, said a proper assessment of her husband can only be given by this (Thursday) afternoon.

‘Ty is looking so good.

‘His blood pressure is still a problem but he did open his eyes a few times and I did wipe two tears from the corner of his eye.

‘He is still intubated to assist with his breathing.

‘He is on a mild pain killer and there is a lot more movement from him.

‘God is good,’ she said.

On Monday, Tyrone was taken off morphine to see how he would react.

The doctor was happy with his progress but his blood pressure rose and more morphine had to be administered.

Lynda said she remains positive her husband will recover.

ALSO READ: Local man fights for his life after attack in Hlabisa

‘I have managed with the most amazing support of loved ones, friends and family.

‘I have to stay strong as long as Tyrone is in hospital and sedated. I talk to him and hope and pray he hears not just me but his loving family as well,’ she said.

Meanwhile Tyrone’s sister is in the process of setting up a ‘Go Fund Me’ account where members of the public can make donations to help ease the travels costs to and from Durban for the family.

Initial reports following the incident claim that Calasse, an employee at the store, was reportedly opening the store in the early hours of the morning when a taxi approached and a number of suspects got out and held him up at gunpoint.

According to a source, the suspects took an undisclosed amount of money.

When Calasse took out his phone to send a message to one of the store managers notifying him of the robbery, it is believed the suspects saw him using his phone and shot at him.

‘They shot him three times – one bullet hit him in his left shoulder, one just grazed his side and the third shot hit him in the lower part of his head,’ said the source.

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