Norton Street labourer remanded for Bagotstown murder

A 29-year-old labourer has been remanded to prison following his court appearance on a murder charge, in connection with the fatal shooting of Mark Anthony Benjamin, also known as “Beads”.
The accused, Jose Fraser, who is also known as Jose Selmon, of Norton Street, Bagotstown, appeared on Friday at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court. He was not required to plead to the charge when it was read to him.
The proceedings resulted in Fraser being remanded to prison, and the matter adjourned until May 16.
Fraser is accused of shooting 37-year-old Benjamin on the evening of April 29, 2025, around 18:40h on Norton Street, Bagotstown.
According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), preliminary investigations indicate that Fraser and Benjamin were known to each other and had an altercation that escalated into violence. Fraser allegedly shot Benjamin in the head before fleeing the scene.
Benjamin was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. His body is currently at the Memorial Gardens Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Police apprehended Fraser during a follow-up operation in Regional Division #6 (East Berbice Corentyne) on April 30, one day after the fatal incident.
Investigations are ongoing.
Frazer is no stranger to the law. Back in 2021, both he and another man were remanded to prison for posing as Guyana Power and Light (GPL) meter readers and attempting to rob a 56-year-old housewife.
Fraser, 25 at the time, and 20-year-old Jaleel Thomas of Cinema Street, Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court.
They pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on November 2, 2021, at Covent Garden Back Street, EBD, they attempted to commit a robbery.
It was previously reported that at around noon on November 2, the housewife was in her yard doing laundry when the two men approached her and told her that they were GPL meter readers.
The woman allowed the men to enter her yard, pointed them in the direction of the meter, and continued washing. The woman told investigators that whilst she was doing her laundry, someone suddenly grabbed her and demanded that she hand over her money.
The suspect then began forcing her up the stairs to her home. This caused her to scream and shout “thief”. As a result, the perpetrators let go of the woman and walked out of the yard.
Shortly after, public-spirited citizens went to the woman’s aid, and she pointed to the suspects, who were walking towards the public road.
With the assistance of a Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) officer and a Police Constable attached to the Providence Police Station Traffic Department, Frazer was apprehended.
Quick response by Police ranks also resulted in the apprehension of the second perpetrator, who was found hiding in the storeroom of an apartment complex, which is located in the area.
They were arrested, taken to the Golden Grove Police Station, where they were kept pending charges.