Fatal cutlass ownership dispute: Murder suspect caught trying to flee community

The suspect in Monday morning’s double chopping incident at Kimbia, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), which left one man dead and his cousin severely injured, has been arrested. Police confirmed that the suspect was arrested on Wednesday en route to New Amsterdam.
According to Police, the man was arrested at about 06:00h following an intelligence-led operation.

This publication understands that the suspect was seen leaving the community by boat and contact was made with law enforcement officers. A team from Central Police Station went and arrested him. He was then taken to Central Police Station in New Amsterdam and is assisting with the investigations.
On Monday, Selman King, 22, of Wiruni, Upper Berbice River, was chopped and died, while his cousin, Shane Osborne, 18, had his hand chopped off and received another chop to his face. He underwent emergency surgery at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital but has since been transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Health officials said his condition has worsened.

Reports are the cousins were at a wedding ceremony at Kimbia on Sunday and after it ended, they were invited to a location by the suspect’s brother. There reportedly were no alcoholic beverages available at the wedding ceremony.
However, sometime after, scores of persons had gone to the location and were imbibing when the incident occurred.
This publication was told by Councillor of Wiruni Village, Van West Osborne, who is also the father of the injured man, that the cousins had been at the location when an argument broke out over the ownership of a cutlass.
The Councillor said he was told that his son and the man carrying the cutlass got into an argument and during it he was chopped twice; one taking off his left hand at the wrist.
“I tried to find out from people what really happened. What I understand is that there were two persons arguing over a cutlass; one saying that it is his own and the other saying that it is his own. My son, Shane, said, ‘it can’t be both of you cutlass; it has to be one person’. My son Shane turn to him again and said ‘you think me is dem boy who you dose deh slapping up?’ The boy chuck he and he fall into the water and then the boy start to chop him,” he related to this publication.
After this, King reportedly intervened and was also chopped and is believed to have died at the scene. (G4)