By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

AN afternoon tutoring session nearly turned fatal when two gunmen entered a home and opened fire on an elderly woman and her son yesterday.

One of the victims, 68-year-old Judith Blair, who is also an assistant Chemistry professor at the College of the Bahamas, was helping her grandson with his studies when the men entered a back door of her home. 

Her son, Marvin Blair, 34, was also inside the Baillou Hill Estates home, which is just off Tonique Williams Highway.  There is a lot of activity in the area with two nearby churches – the Trinity Assembly City of Praise and Chapel on the Hill — and a school and several basketball courts for community use. 

Police said the incident happened at around 3pm yesterday. The police rushed to the area on receiving a call of an armed robbery. Once at the scene, they found both Mrs Blair and Marvin suffering from gunshot wounds.

Central Detective Unit Superintendent Paul Rolle said both men had demanded cash.

“After making them lie on the floor,” Mr Rolle said, “the male attempted to get his money from his wallet when one of the men opened fire hitting him to the torso. The second gunman returned and shot the elderly lady.”

Both the victims were taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital a short time later for treatment. Mr Rolle said Mrs Blair’s grandson was not hurt, but he was also taken to hospital after being “shaken up” by the incident.

Mrs Blair’s son, Timothy Blair, said the incident reminded him that no one is immune from crime.

“We have to band together,” he said, “because they can come at anyone’s door in the middle of the day (or) while you are sleeping. We are confident about my mom’s recovery and my brother’s recovery and we are just not ashamed and afraid. We are a family that prays together, so I know we are going to get through this.”