Kochi: In a shocking incident, two bike-borne men opened fire at a luxury nail salon, owned by actress Leena Maria Paul, at Panampilly Nagar here on Saturday afternoon. However, no one was injured.
The incident took place around 2.30 pm at the Nail Artistry Salon when two unidentified men wearing helmets rushed into the front parking area of the building where the establishment is functioning on the first floor. According to eyewitnesses, one of them left a paper with the name ‘Ravi Poojari’ inscribed on it before leaving the spot.
The duo came on a black Yamaha FZ-200 from Panampilly Nagar side. “The pillion rider rushed to the staircase and returned after threatening the security guard by firing in the air. Both of them used towels inside the helmet to cover their faces,” said Nikhil, an employee at the shop on the ground floor of the building who witnessed the incident.
“As he rushed back to his bike, he left a paper on the ground,” he said.
A team led by P.P. Shams, assistant commissioner of police, Thrikkakkara, reached the spot, followed by Mr. J. Himendranath, deputy commissioner of police, Kochi city.
“We are collecting the CCTV visuals all across the routes to trace them. Also, we need to get more details from the owner of the shop if there is any threat to her or any such angle to this incident,” Mr Himendranath told this newspaper. According to official sources, Leena, who is out of Kerala, will come to Kochi and give a statement to the police on Sunday.
According to eyewitnesses, the duo had reportedly fired two rounds from a gun from the stairs. “It appears to be an air gun from which an air shot was made. However, we are yet to identify the weapon. More details will be investigated to find out if the incident was a serious one to create casualties or just strike fear among the public,” the DCP said.
