02/2014 - SHOOTING IN cabarete

[Citynights]

Canadian expat was shot while helping students that were being robbed home invasion.... a group of students that arrived in POP the day before to church work at Dominican orphanage were staying at a housing complex... sleeping 4 to a room...were awakened by armed robbers...the expat area business man who was helping with the trip was shot 9 times...as of the last Canadian news report he was still alive...

SO MUCH FOR TOURIST BUSINESS.....

THEY PULLED THE KIDS OUT...MOST OF THEM...ONE OF THE STUDENTS WAS SHOT TOO..

[Citynights]

UPDATE... the expat was 64 year old Lef Welehmann ....he is listed in critical condition...

two armed Dominicans broke into the compound where the 18 high school students were staying....the group also contained 8 chaperones & teachers....they were there to work at a orphanage starting the next day....the expat was shot while attempting to fend off the robbers... 5 of students witnessed the shooting .....

[WickedWillie]

Change the headline to Shooting in Cabarete. His name is Les. Been a friend of mine for over a decade. He is in ICU at Cabarete Medical Center. Condition critical but stable.

http://detrasdelrumor.com/index.php/2012-08-08-22-36-42/regionales/3793-ver-imagenes-canadiense-comerciante-y-misionero-recibe-9-balazos-al-resistirse-a-un-asalto-en-cabarete

[Jimmydr]

Change the headline to Shooting in Cabarete. His name is Les. Been a friend of mine for over a decade. He is in ICU at Cabarete Medical Center. Condition critical but stable.

http://detrasdelrumor.com/index.php/2012-08-08-22-36-42/regionales/3793-ver-imagenes-canadiense-comerciante-y-misionero-recibe-9-balazos-al-resistirse-a-un-asalto-en-cabarete

There is an ICU in Cabarete?

[WickedWillie]

There is an ICU in Cabarete?

Sort of.:wink: Cabarete Medical Center is in Sosua.

[Jimmydr]

Sort of.:wink: Cabarete Medical Center is in Sosua.

Must be new. It wasn't there in 2004.:mrgreen:

[Ram]

Must be new. It wasn't there in 2004.:mrgreen:

http://www.cabaretemedicalcenter.com/

[Citynights]

Change the headline to Shooting in Cabarete. His name is Les. Been a friend of mine for over a decade. He is in ICU at Cabarete Medical Center. Condition critical but stable.

http://detrasdelrumor.com/index.php/2012-08-08-22-36-42/regionales/3793-ver-imagenes-canadiense-comerciante-y-misionero-recibe-9-balazos-al-resistirse-a-un-asalto-en-cabarete


Sorry to hear that Willy just going by a Canadian news report.... hope he pulls thru... hope my other info is correct...only heard about it because the kids were from my home town area...
and canadian news report said Puerto plata.....

[WickedWillie]

Sorry to hear that Willy just going by a Canadian news report.... hope he pulls thru... hope my other info is correct...only heard about it because the kids were from my home town area...
and canadian news report said Puerto plata.....

No problem my friend. I too saw the Canadian news report. Damn journos!!!!

[psriches]

The sad part is no one here is surprised by this. Most of the poor Dominicans are in a state of desperation. They are at the point where they will do anything to eat. I don't understand how ex-pat's continue to live there. But I guess it's hard to leave if you have so much of your life invested in the place.

[No Worries]

Robbing people who are on a church retreat to fix up an orphanage? Man, talk about a first class ticket to hell when you die!!!

[WickedWillie]

Les is out of ICU and in a regular room so I guess that is a good sign.

[WickedWillie]

Security camera video of the shooting just been released.

link to youtube video in this page

http://detrasdelrumor.com/index.php/2012-08-08-22-36-42/regionales/3806-ver-imagenes-momento-en-que-extranjero-misionero-canadiense-recive-9-impacto-de-bala-de-manos-de-encapuchados-en-cabarete-en-breve-video

64 years old, barefoot with a baseball bat taking on 2 armed robbers. Knocked one of them spark out. Les is my new hero:bigthumbup:

[Apos]

Impressive....and he almost took the 2nd one out too!

Hope I get to meet him some time.


Security camera video of the shooting just been released.

link to youtube video in this page

http://detrasdelrumor.com/index.php/2012-08-08-22-36-42/regionales/3806-ver-imagenes-momento-en-que-extranjero-misionero-canadiense-recive-9-impacto-de-bala-de-manos-de-encapuchados-en-cabarete-en-breve-video

64 years old, barefoot with a baseball bat taking on 2 armed robbers. Knocked one of them spark out. Les is my new hero:bigthumbup:

[eastcoastallstar]

What a TROOPER !!!!

I hope he makes it.

[eastcoastallstar]

Somebody should set up a fund for him.

First of all, he was helping do gods work. Not only did spring into action like a superhero, he wacked that fuckin bastard upside his head, he put him to sleep, when he did get hit, he kept coming! And when he hit the floor, he tried with all his might to get up!

Thats a mans man right there.

[continentalmike]

Les should be leaving after he recuperates... I remember the Dutch guy defending himself and shooting a robber a few years back.. wonder how that turned out in the end.

[XXX]

Security camera video of the shooting just been released.

link to youtube video in this page

http://detrasdelrumor.com/index.php/2012-08-08-22-36-42/regionales/3806-ver-imagenes-momento-en-que-extranjero-misionero-canadiense-recive-9-impacto-de-bala-de-manos-de-encapuchados-en-cabarete-en-breve-video

64 years old, barefoot with a baseball bat taking on 2 armed robbers. Knocked one of them spark out. Les is my new hero:bigthumbup:

Hero without a dought,,,,

not sure about the rest of you guys, but the pic that got to me was the one with the dog ,,,

not sure if it's his dog coming to his aid or not,but if it was than yeah, that gets to me,,

I wish your friend a full and speedy recovery Willie,,,

Looks like God said to him "I'm not ready for you yet, your to busy doing good work down there",,,,

[madvillian]

His fight was impressive, hope he gets better. Any word on if they have caught the hooded douches?

[JD426]

Sorry to hear about your friend having to go through this terrible ordeal Willie, but he sure looks like a tough guy not to mention a Hero for trying to stop these pieces of garbage.
.. Hope he makes a speedy and full recovery..
And hope they catch the 2 dudes and show them a little justice, Dominican style..

[Mr. Smooth]

I watched this video and can't say enough about this man. Truly a heroic action and I join everyone else in wishing for his full recovery.

The thing that I kept wondering about was, after the shots were fired, no one arrived to help him, at least not until after the end of the video. Where this happened, were there not other people around who heard the noise from the struggle who were close by to get to him sooner?

I'm just glad that help eventually did get there for him before it was too late. Les is one tough hombre for sure!

All the best to your friend, Willie.

[Hanzo]

I watched this video and can't say enough about this man. Truly a heroic action and I join everyone else in wishing for his full recovery.

The thing that I kept wondering about was, after the shots were fired, no one arrived to help him, at least not until after the end of the video. Where this happened, were there not other people around who heard the noise from the struggle who were close by to get to him sooner?

I'm just glad that help eventually did get there for him before it was too late. Les is one tough hombre for sure!

All the best to your friend, Willie.


One thing everyone who travels to the Dominican Republic should learn, don't EVER expect help from the locals in this type of situation, doesn't matter if you're Dominican, or American.

One time I was walking down an avenue in SD with a chica friend, the avenue has zero foot traffic, but a decent amount of cars going both ways. We were walking, and I noticed the chica kept looking back every 10 seconds, or so. I told her to relax, as there was no way anyone would be dumb enough to try, and mug us in broad daylight, in the middle of such a busy avenue, she laughed, and told me I'm extremely naive. She let me know if anyone were to pull over right now, and try mugging us, all the cars passing would keep going, and no one would even think about stopping, she said people are afraid that something bad will happen to them if they try to help, or interfere so they just rather not do anything.


Talking to several other Dominicans, this is the general mindset, they just rather stay out of it, for their own safety. I've lost count of how many chicas I know have been robbed in broad daylight, with dozens of people around, and no one has attempted to even lift a finger to come to their aid.

[Jimmydr]

One thing everyone who travels to the Dominican Republic should learn, don't EVER expect help from the locals in this type of situation, doesn't matter if you're Dominican, or American.

.

They can get hurt if they help.

[Citynights]

Security camera video of the shooting just been released.

link to youtube video in this page

http://detrasdelrumor.com/index.php/2012-08-08-22-36-42/regionales/3806-ver-imagenes-momento-en-que-extranjero-misionero-canadiense-recive-9-impacto-de-bala-de-manos-de-encapuchados-en-cabarete-en-breve-video

64 years old, barefoot with a baseball bat taking on 2 armed robbers. Knocked one of them spark out. Les is my new hero:bigthumbup:

I am with you my friend.....the guy is a hero....what the video does not show is that the robbers getting violet with female students in the room along with their chaperone...

when asked for money & cameras one of the students replied in Spanish they had not brought any....the robber then began assaulting the student...... Les showed up in time

to save her & other students....:clap2::clap2::clap2::ilike::thumbsup2:

Willy when I come down next month would luv to meet Les....if you do the intro...

[Citynights]

I watched this video and can't say enough about this man. Truly a heroic action and I join everyone else in wishing for his full recovery.

The thing that I kept wondering about was, after the shots were fired, no one arrived to help him, at least not until after the end of the video. Where this happened, were there not other people around who heard the noise from the struggle who were close by to get to him sooner?

I'm just glad that help eventually did get there for him before it was too late. Les is one tough hombre for sure!

All the best to your friend, Willie.

Being a school trip they went into lockdown....locking their doors & hiding where they could...the teachers & chaperones would take care of students till help arrives...remember

shots were fired..... most were a sleep.....maybe Willy may know when the help arrived for Les...

[Mr. Smooth]

Being a school trip they went into lockdown....locking their doors & hiding where they could...the teachers & chaperones would take care of students till help arrives...remember

shots were fired..... most were a sleep.....maybe Willy may know when the help arrived for Les...

I understand City. It was speculation on my part. Hanzo's post puts a sad perspective on the reluctance of people to help out others who are in need, even if it could be a life or death situation.

I'm glad that Les was able to go all David Ortiz on one of those thugs.

[WickedWillie]

I visited Les this week. Prognosis is good although he needs more surgeries and recovery is expected to be very lengthy.

Your words of support have been passed on.

I am led to believe that Les has no or very limited medical insurance cover, but need to confirm that. His hospital bill will be huge.

There is now a website giving details on what exactly happened and other related info.

http://www.donatetoles.com/#

For those that asked I am trying to ascertain that it is legit (I believe Les's wife has done it) and offers a donation option.

I will talk to Les and his wife later today to confirm so please wait for this confirmation before sending any donation.

[Jimmydr]

Is this for real?

9 Bullet holes?


Shot 9 times?



That morning, Les spent 4 hours in emergency surgery, lost over half of his blood and was placed in ICU in critical but stable condition. Les is incredibly lucky to have survived the assault.

Les's injuries included 9 bullet holes, extensive blood loss, a broken knee and a broken and shattered arm bone.

After the initial surgery Les is out of immediate danger but does have more reconstructive surgeries ahead to repair the 2 broken bones as well as a long road of rehabilitation in order to obtain full recovery.

Les appreciates the overwhelming response of all the people in the Dominican Republic who have come into the hospital to donate blood for his recovery. He will require more type O+ blood for more surgeries in the weeks to come.


That morning, Les spent 4 hours in emergency surgery, lost over half of his blood and was placed in ICU in critical but stable condition. Les is incredibly lucky to have survived the assault.

Les's injuries included 9 bullet holes, extensive blood loss, a broken knee and a broken and shattered arm bone.

After the initial surgery Les is out of immediate danger but does have more reconstructive surgeries ahead to repair the 2 broken bones as well as a long road of rehabilitation in order to obtain full recovery.

Les appreciates the overwhelming response of all the people in the Dominican Republic who have come into the hospital to donate blood for his recovery. He will require more type O+ blood for more surgeries in the weeks to come.

[JD426]

Some appear to be EXIT wounds.. (not speaking professionally) but just from observation..
I think the perps were using ball ammo, if they had hollowpoints he would not be alive as he would have bled out from the exit wounds ,not to mention internal tissue damage.

but yeagh, this guy is pretty TOUGH..
God Bless him and speedy recovery.

[ezsmile]

That's a good guy there.

Thanks for the link WW, I read the articles and watched the Canadian news video. I thought that was pretty good reporting considering what sources (dominican media) they were using. One of the CTV news reports shows some of the video footage, but they left out the part where Les hit one of the thieves with his baseball bat. I wish they had shown that, then Canada would know how Les fought and likely saved all the students from harm.

[WickedWillie]

Been to see Les this morning. He is in great spirits for someone with 9 bullet holes in him.

The bullet that shattered his right knee deflected up and grazed his left testicle.....so he is lucky in many senses.:lol:

He will be leaving CMC in the next couple of days and when fit to travel will return to Canada for recuperation. When fit fully intends to return to Cabarete and continue his life here.

However it is confirmed that he has no medical insurance and the website http://www.donatetoles.com/# has been put together by his wife and daughter so is genuine.

He expects his hospital bill will be in excess of US$8,000 so any donations via Paypal on this site will be gratefully received.

If anyone is in Cabarete on Saturday morning he expects to be at his Saturday market, https://www.facebook.com/VecinosSaturdayMarket, so stop by and show some support.