Miner fatally stabbed during drinking spree at Blue Mountain Backdam

– suspect in custody

A 28-year-old miner was fatally stabbed during a confrontation at Blue Mountain Backdam, Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni), in the early hours of Sunday morning, following a night of drinking with co-workers. The dead man has been identified as Fitrawle McLeannon, called “Cripple,” of Lot 106 Ocean Garden, Meten-Meer-Zorg, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). Police have arrested the 24-year-old suspect, Shamer Tobin, called “Shortman,” a gold miner of Moruka, North West District, Region One.
The incident unfolded between 23:45h on Saturday and 12:30h on Sunday. Investigations revealed that McLeannon and Tobin, along with other workers employed by dredge owner Frankie Wessel of Meten-Meer-Zorg, had gone over to the mining camp of Davan Melville earlier that night. There, the men drank alcohol and engaged in conversation until about 23:45h, after which Wessel’s workers, including the now-deceased man and the suspect, returned to their camp.
It was shortly after their return that one of Melville’s employees, who had been lying in bed, was startled by a loud scream. Curious, the worker got up and looked outside. He reportedly saw McLeannon lying on the trail near the kitchen area of the camp, bleeding profusely, while Tobin was seen walking away from the scene.
According to investigators, it was alleged that McLeannon had slapped Tobin three times, after which the younger miner retaliated by stabbing him three times. A co-worker later told police that Tobin returned to the camp after the stabbing and confessed to what he had done, reportedly saying that after being struck by “a one hand man” at Junior’s camp, he stabbed the man and left him lying on the ground.
When police and investigators arrived at the scene, they observed McLeannon’s left hand was disabled. A close examination of the body revealed a stab wound to the centre of the abdomen, measuring about one and a quarter inch in length, another stab wound to the left hip, and a third stab wound to the middle of the back near the spinal area. Investigators also noted tattoos on McLeannon’s right shoulder and left hand.
The crime scene was processed in detail. A black rubber slipper was discovered about three feet from the deceased, while a small pink-handled pair of scissors was found on the trail near his body. Blood samples were collected from the deceased and from stains at the scene using cotton swabs. The area was photographed and video recorded, while the items recovered were packaged, sealed, and lodged as evidence. Following the discovery, police launched a Cordon and Search operation at Marawah Backdam, Cuyuni River, which lies about two hours from the site of the stabbing. During the operation, Tobin was spotted, pursued, and arrested. He was later interviewed by investigators and voluntarily gave his version of events under video recording. On Sunday afternoon, between 15:20h and 15:31h, a formal video and audio interview was conducted with Tobin. He was told of his rights and informed of the allegation against him, to which he openly admitted, stating in his own words: “Me and the man was drinking, and I was high, and de man box me, and I bore him about three times. Afterward, I went back to camp and put on my long boots, and I roll out.” The suspect is currently in custody, assisting with the ongoing investigation.