One week after he was confronted and stabbed, Leon Parahoo, a taxi driver from Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, has succumbed to his injuries.
The incident occurred between August 17 and 18 at Parika, EBE. Parahoo died while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Friday.
His alleged attacker, a 30-year-old construction worker, is currently in police custody.
Reports indicate that Parahoo and the suspect were known to each other. The two men had an altercation in 2023 during which Parahoo had stabbed the suspect.
Information gathered by the News Room revealed that it was a 22-year-old taxi driver, who transported the suspect on the night in question, that led the police to the suspect, resulting in his arrest.
The News Room was informed that the taxi driver was arrested for questioning and told the police that on the night of the incident, he made a drop-off at Parika Junction, where he was approached by the suspect, who is known to him.
The taxi driver claimed that the suspect requested to be taken to a bar on the Parika access road. However, as they were on their way, the driver said the suspect asked him to stop since he had forgotten something.
The suspect left the car as the taxi driver parked and waited for him. About three minutes later, the suspect rushed back to the car and ordered the taxi driver to drive, saying he had just “juk up” somebody.
The taxi driver reported that the suspect placed a knife to his neck and demanded that he drive. Out of fear, he complied. While on the way, the driver said the suspect told him not to tell anyone about the incident and threatened to kill his family if he did.
The suspect subsequently ordered the taxi driver to exit his vehicle, but he refused. The driver then took a piece of wood he kept in his car and confronted the suspect, who exited his car and headed to the riverside.
The driver then returned to his car and went home, where he informed his parents of what had transpired.
The taxi driver took the police to the suspect’s residence in Zeelugt. There, the suspect was informed of the crime committed.
A search was also conducted on the premises, and two kitchen knives, a pair of black jeans, and a grey hoodie were found. The suspect and the items were taken to the Parika police station as the investigation continues.
