A 59-year-old farmer of Bashaizon, Deep South Rupununi died following an argument on Friday afternoon with a drunk 27-year-old farmer who was angry about the deceased’s animals trespassing on his property.
The dead farmer has been identified as Cedric Jones.
According to the police, Jones and the suspect were known to each other, and on the day in question about 5:20 pm, the suspect was consuming local pine wine when Jones passed by.
Based on a report made to the police, Jones stopped to talk with the suspect during which they got into an argument over Jones’ animals straying into the suspect’s yard. The suspect reportedly pushed Jones down to the ground and kicked him several times, causing him to become motionless.
The suspect when arrested and cautioned by the police replied saying, “I told him (Jones) to take care of his animals, that the animals are coming into my yard and damage my cassava. Jones then charged towards me and I pushed him to the ground and kicked him but can’t recall which part I kicked him, and he never moved.”
Ranks from the Lethem Police Station visited the scene which is said to be an open area with a lone mango tree, with a school about 100 feet away to the eastern side, and a health post about 50 feet away to the southern side.
The body was examined by a crime scene rank and photographed, then taken to the Lethem Regional Hospital where it was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Matthias. The body is currently at the Lethem Regional Hospital Mortuary awaiting an autopsy.
Several persons were interviewed by the police and statements were obtained.
