Good Hope youth attacked, left for dead by “friend” in alleged murder plot

– may never be able to speak again

By LaWanda McAllister

A shocking crime has left the community of Good Hope, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), in disbelief after a young man was allegedly brutally attacked and left for dead by someone he had considered his friend for 11 years.
Twenty-five-year-old Andrew Arnold, a contractor of Good Hope, ECD, may never be able to speak again after he was slashed to the throat in an alleged attempt by a “friend” to have him killed.
The incident occurred on April 2 at about 16:00h at Pigeon Island, ECD, where he was lured into a trap by his close friend. Via text messages, the injured man recalled that, before committing the act, the assailant informed him that someone had hired him to carry out a hit on him. The motive for the attempted murder remains unclear, but Arnold believes it was linked to a dispute over false accusations.

On the night of the attack, the suspect reportedly invited Arnold to a secluded spot in the vicinity of the seawall on Pigeon Island, claiming that he wanted to collect some money from his mother. Once there, Arnold was attacked with a sharp object, which sliced his throat, causing him to bleed profusely.
“Me and the boy were hanging out, and he told me to go with him to his mom’s place in Pigeon Island to collect some money, so we went…we took the seawall because he said he doesn’t like to ride on the road,” the text messages revealed.
“When we got there, he grabbed me from behind, put a knife to my neck, and told me that he get money to kill me. He then slit my throat, threw me over the seawall, threw my bicycle on me, and said, ‘You dead now,’ and rode off,” Arnold recounted.
After the suspect had fled, Arnold tied his shirt around his neck, threw his bicycle back over the seawall, and rode to the Grand Coastal Hotel to seek assistance to contact the Police. He was later rushed to the hospital, and underwent emergency surgery. He is now in stable condition.
However, the suspect remains at large. Arnold claims that, since the incident, the Police have refused to search for the suspect, and he is now fearful for his life.
“The boy is spreading rumours in Jango Town that he is coming to make sure I’m dead, and if he can’t get me, he’s coming for my family. Plus the Police say I won’t make it, so they’re not looking for the boy,” Arnold alleges.
During the attack, Arnold said, he heard the suspect mention the name of the person who hired him. He believes it would all make sense if that were the case, because he and the individual in question are currently not on good terms.
“We had a story in court, but the matter was settled. However, they still want revenge,” Arnold said.
One resident told this publication, “I can’t believe someone would do something like this to another human being, let alone a friend.”
The victim’s family and friends are struggling to come to terms with what has happened, and some are expressing their anger and disbelief that someone the victim had known for years and had trusted could turn on him in such a brutal manner.
Arnold is calling for justice to be served swiftly.
“I need justice! I did surgery, and my voice cord cut. The doctors said they don’t know if I will ever be able to talk again”, he texted.