A violent scuffle between two men at a Lima Sands shop on the Essequibo Coast has led to the death of 46-year-old labourer Gary Melville, police have confirmed.
The incident reportedly occurred between 20:00 hours on Friday and 5:30 hours on Saturday.
According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Melville and a 23-year-old farmer from the same community, both friends and residents of Lima Sands, were drinking together at a local shop along with others.
The suspect consumed a bottle of ‘high wine’ while Melville drank 592 beers. During their time at the shop, a dispute arose when the suspect alleged that Melville had burnt him with a cigarette, sparking a physical altercation.
A female shopkeeper reported seeing the suspect bleeding from a head injury while Melville was on the ground. Another woman intervened to separate the two men. Melville then left the shop on foot, heading north, followed shortly after by the suspect on his motorcycle.
At approximately 5:30 hours on Saturday, a local woman discovered Melville’s motionless body lying by the side of the Lima Sands public road. She promptly raised an alarm, and the police were summoned to the scene.
Officers found injuries on Melville’s hands, right knee, feet, and face. His body was transported to Suddie Hospital, where a doctor pronounced him dead on arrival. The body was subsequently taken to the hospital mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.
The suspect, who suffered injuries to his left hand, head, and knee during the altercation, was apprehended and treated at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital before being returned to police custody.
