A Wales Estate tractor operator died on Monday evening after he was stabbed during an argument, while his assailant is in police custody awaiting a formal charge.
Dead is Rampersaud Rattan, 28, called “Arnold” and “Rampo,” of Lot 299 Sisters Village, Long Pond, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
Rattan, who was stabbed once to the chest, was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention.
The suspect, who has been identified only as “Solomon,” fled the scene but was captured by residents of the community. He was handed over to the police and taken into custody at the La Grange Police station.
The police, in a statement, said that their investigations have so far revealed that Rattan and the suspect had an argument, during which the suspect stabbed him to his chest.
Stabroek News was told that the fatal altercation occurred around 11.30pm on Monday while Rattan was assisting his relatives in cleaning the yard following the celebrations for his brother-in-law’s wedding, which was held over the weekend. The community saw two wedding celebrations, as Rattan’s brother-in-law and his new wife, lived just one house away from each other.
Rattan’s mother-in-law, Mala (only name given), told Stabroek News that before the altercation occurred, the music was already off and most guests had already departed. She said she was “tidying up” when Rattan arrived and offered her help. “I went in the yard packing up chairs and he come and ask to help, so I tell he to clean up the front and I will do the back,” the woman related.
Mala said that during this process Rattan went out of the yard to dispose of garbage and he and his assailant had an exchange of words, which led to a scuffle. She said based on what she learnt, Rattan attempted to get his assailant off of the property, since he was misbehaving, but the suspect whipped out a knife and stabbed him.
Rattan collapsed and was rushed to the hospital by his neighbour, Jamey Narine.
Narine said that he was standing in front his car on the road when he saw the scuffle between the two men. “Solomon was drunk and he come in the wedding house and start misbehaving and Arnold chuck he lil and put he out the yard. After that, all I see is one juk and Solomon start run up the road,” he said.
Stabroek News was told that Rattan’s assailant frequented the two wedding houses on Monday evening and misbehaved. One relative said that the suspect was seen misbehaving on numerous occasions and was told to leave but he did not do so. “He did just picking trouble and cussing up everybody and so whole night,” the man said.
When Stabroek News visited the wedding houses yesterday, relatives of the deceased and residents were in shock and still trying to come to grips with the tragedy. A number of persons gathered to offer their condolences and expressed their disbelief at how the events unfolded.
Rattan’s father is calling for justice to be served. He said during 2012, his other son, Deoanand Rattan, was also murdered. “This is the second murder for this family and up to now I can’t get justice for the first one but I ain’t letting this one go down just suh too,” the weeping man said.
Rattan is survived by his parents, his wife and their four-year-old daughter. He was described as a very hardworking individual.
On Monday, the Guyana Police Force reported a 16% reduction in reports of murder at the end of July, relative to the same period last year.
