Banana skin row leaves 1 dead

An argument between two men ended tragically on Monday morning when one picked up a knife and stabbed the other to the chest at Cornhill Street, Stabroek, Georgetown.

Dexter Arthur, 34, of Middle Street, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, was stabbed once to his chest by his attacker, Eustace Griffith, 26, a farmer of Caneville, East Bank Demerara.

Based on reports, the now dead man reportedly threw a banana skin at the suspect and an argument ensued which quickly escalated into a fistfight. The suspect reportedly got angry, whipped out a knife from his waist, and dealt Arthur one blow to his chest.

The injured man fell to the roadway and died almost immediately. The suspect then surrendered to the Police and admitted to the crime. Eyewitnesses at the market on Monday stated that the two men would normally be seen in the area doing odd jobs for vendors.

One man recalled hearing the argument between the two and ignored them. It was not until one of them collapsed to the ground with blood oozing from his chest that people reacted. He noted that people rushed to the scene only to find the man dead.

A Police source told Guyana Times that the incident occurred about 07:00h. “After the suspect stabbed the victim, he turned himself in to the Police and admitted that the argument stemmed from a banana skin that was thrown at the other.”

Guyana Times understands that two businessmen were also detained and were being questioned in relation to the stabbing incident.