Forty-year-old Mark Braithwaite of Four Miles Housing Scheme was hammered to death by a businessman during an argument on Wednesday evening.
Police say the incident occurred at about 7:45 pm. Investigations thus far revealed that the suspect’s father, a 63-year-old from Second Avenue, Bartica, owns and operates a Blast Gaming Centre.
The suspect was left in charge of the Gaming Centre while the victim, a regular customer, was playing at one of the slot machines. The suspect and Braithwaite had a misunderstanding over alcohol spilling on the countertop, and during the argument, the suspect scolded Braithwaite. Braithwaite then armed himself with several glass bottles that were nearby and began hurling them at the suspect, who was in the bar behind the counter.
The suspect armed himself with a hammer and went after Braithwaite, who at the time had made his way to the front of the gaming centre. The suspect dealt Braithwaite blows to his head and face.
Braithwaite fell to the ground and remained motionless. He was taken to the Bartica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The body was examined and wounds were observed to the right jaw area, above the right eye and to the forehead. The body is at the Bartica Hospital’s Mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
The suspect was arrested and is presently in custody.
