WINNIPEG – A Winnipeg man who risked his life protecting his guests in the Dominican Republic from armed intruders spoke out for the first time today.
Lester Lehmann was shot 10 times while attempting to ward off two men who broke into the apartment complex he owns in the Dominican Republic in January.
“I wasn’t afraid, I was angry more than anything that two people would try to break into my place,” said Lehmann.
At the time of the attempted robbery, the Winnipegger was hosting a student humanitarian group from St Jean Baptiste and Pointe des Chenes schools.
“There were a few that were quite traumatized by it but fortunately they didn’t get beaten, they didn’t get shot at,” said Lehmann.
“He’s a hero for us, he saved lives, many lives, and what he did was incredible, we thank him so much,” said Alain Laberge, superintendent of Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine.
The students flew back to Winnipeg the next day, shaken from the experience.
“Students are doing better, some still need counseling or psychological help,” said Laberge.
Lehmann spent a week in a Dominican Republic hospital before flying back to Winnipeg.
While his spirits are high now , the memory of being shot isn’t far from his mind.
“If I’m watching TV and see a gun come out or I’m watching the news and someone gets shot, it affects me a little bit, it gives me a funny feeling when I see a gun come out,” said Lehmann.
The Dominican Republic complex Lehmann has called home for seven years is now up for sale, and he’s got a new retirement plan.
He works over three hours on rehab each day so he can build up his hand to eventually tour through the prairies playing guitar.
As for the suspects who attacked Lehmann, he told Global News Friday, the Canadian consulate contacted him two months ago to say police had two people in custody.
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