Mark Solomon is believed to have been hacked to death because he prevented his assailant from stealing another worker’s gold band hours before, at the Pritipaul Singh Investments (PSI) fisheries complex, on the East Bank of Demerara.
Solomon, called “Taunty,” 36, of Non Pareil Street, Albouystown, was attacked by a co-worker on Tuesday evening, hours after he reportedly tried to prevent the man from stealing the band, which led to a row. He was later attacked by the man and others and later died before reaching the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) with wounds that included a slit throat.
His main attacker, identified as co-worker Sheldon Bowen, is currently receiving medical attention at the GPH for injuries he sustained when Solomon tried to defend himself. One of Bowen’s fingers was severed and he had knife wounds on both arms.
Solomon’s brother, Adrian Austin, told Stabroek News that sources within PSI have explained that another employee’s gold wrist band had fallen off and as Bowen approached to pick up the piece of jewellery, he was interrupted by Solomon.
“From what I hear, my brother see when he de going and pick up the band and he say, ‘man all ah we working here, you gah give back de man he band,’” Austin relayed. This, he said, led to a brief argument, which saw other workmates intervening. Bowen was said to have been sent home by the supervisor but he later returned in the company of two friends. Together, the men reportedly attacked Solomon.
“If it happen like the then they shoulda call the police since early when they had the lil confrontation because they shoulda expect something to happen,” Austin opined.
He added that while Bowen remains a patient of the GPH, one of his accomplices was arrested by the police while the other is at-large. This could not be confirmed with police up to press time last evening.
Police earlier yesterday issued a press release indicating that Solomon had an altercation over the loss of a piece of jewellery during which he was chopped about his body. It was confirmed that the suspect has been admitted at the GPH for medical attention and is under guard.
