A young goldsmith was fatally stabbed on Friday evening after an argument erupted during a game of cricket at the Muslim Youth Organisation ground along Woodford Avenue, in Georgetown.
The dead man has been identified as 25-year-old Kareem Kayum, who succumbed while receiving treatment for his injuries. His assailant, identified as a 21-year-old man, is in police custody.
The stabbing reportedly occurred at about 18:40 hrs in the cricket cage at the Muslim Youth Organization ground.
In a statement issued last night, the Guyana Police Force said its investigations revealed that the two youths, who would play cricket together at the ground every Friday evening, had an encounter and Kayum complained that his assailant was calling him unsavory names. The latter was cautioned by an older person to desist from doing so.
However, the police said the two youths had a scuffle during which the assailant was seen with a knife in his hand and a reddish substance that appeared to be blood coming from the deceased’s chest. Kayum was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital after his assailant was subdued.
He died while receiving treatment.
The police added that the man’s assailant was arrested and taken to the Alberttown Police Station, where he gave a written statement before being placed into custody.
This newspaper learned that Kayum tried to escape the stabbing by running away but was pursued by the suspect and he then fell to the ground.
It was reported that the suspect is no stranger to Kayum since he (the suspect) would usually attend the victim’s mentoring classes.
Kayum was reportedly engaged and was preparing to get married a week from today.
In a Facebook post on Friday night, the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana stated, “It is with great sorrow we announce the death of our beloved brother Kareem Kayum of Regent Street, Georgetown who was murdered moments ago. He was a member of the Queenstown Jama Masjid.”
