Martial Arts instructor and bodyguard Garfield Newton was killed on Christmas Eve in a robbery after visiting a goldsmith in Albouystown, Georgetown.
Newton, 36, of Lot 454 Mandela Avenue was shot in the left side of his chest during the robbery by three men.
The police said that during the attack, the bandits carted off a silver hand band, a gold chain, two gold finger rings and a cellular phone. The bandits also stole a Glock 9MM pistol and two magazines containing 15 rounds of ammunition each which was in his possession.
In a brief statement, police said Newton went to a goldsmith at Campbell Street, Albouystown, where he collected the silver hand band, gold chain and two gold finger rings, which he had taken to clean. The police said that he left walking on Campbell Street heading in a northern direction to motor van # GPP 7505 (owned by the company he is employed with) which he parked on Sussex Street, Albouystown.
About five minutes later, the police said that the goldsmith was informed by a teenager that the person who had collected the jewellery had been shot and was lying on the street. As a result the goldsmith went out and saw Newton lying motionless on his abdomen in the street.
The body was examined and what appeared to be a gunshot wound was seen on the left side of his chest.
Newton was examined by Emergency Medical Technicians from GPHC who pronounced him dead at the scene.
The firearm and ammunition – property of the Beharry Group of Companies – jewellery and the cellphone mentioned were not found, the police report added.
The body was escorted to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home awaiting a post-Morten examination.
Newton’s death is being mourned by many especially those in the Martial Arts society. Newton was a part of the “Black Hawks Martial Arts” team in Guyana.
The Korean International Martial Arts Guyana (KIMAG) family on Facebook said they were saddened by the death of Newton
Nicholas Brathwaite, a former student said “With your guidance, the young men and women of our organization have been able to become leaders of our society.”
