By Leroy Smith
One cousin is now dead and the other in police custody over a bad debt of $500.
Dead is 18-year-old Leon Ritchie of Canal No.1 on the West Bank of Demerara. He was stabbed to the region of his heart by his 16-year-old cousin yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, January 17, 2017) at Canal No.1.
The News Room learnt that Ritchie reportedly borrowed $500 from his 16-year-old cousin about a week ago and when the younger cousin asked for the money to be repaid, Ritchie ignored him on several occasions and the two eventually stopped talking.
On Tuesday, the 16-year-old was at home when Ritchie walked into the house and the 16-year-old called out to him. Sensing that the younger cousin was again going to bother him for the monies which he owed, the elder cousin ignored him by refusing to look in his direction or even answer him.
That reportedly annoyed the 16-year-old who armed himself with a knife and advanced towards his cousin, stabbing him once in the chest. The young man fell to the ground and began bleeding profusely.
An uncle of the two was summoned to the scene and took the injured Ritchie to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The 16-year-old was handed over to the police and the murder weapon lodged as evidence.
The police have since taken a statement from the suspect and his uncle.
Investigations are ongoing.
