Police are investigating what appears to be a fatal case of road rage which left a 26-year-old mechanic dead in Georgetown on Friday afternoon.
The victim, Jamal Green of Durban Street Lodge, was fatally stabbed following a heated street confrontation with a taxi driver between Robb and Albert Streets around 13:30 hrs.
The suspect, 30-year-old taxi driver Keon Belgrave of the Sophia squatting area, was arrested at the scene and remains in Police custody as detectives continue their investigations.
Initial reports suggest the incident began when Belgrave was driving motor car PXX 7379 south along Albert Street, with Green riding his motorcycle CN 9595 behind him in the same direction. According to Police, Green rode up beside the car and told Belgrave that he “should have hit him” with his vehicle — sparking an argument between the two.
After the brief exchange, Green reportedly rode ahead and stopped his motorcycle, prompting Belgrave to also pull over and exit his car.
A 30-year-old eyewitness told investigators he saw Green armed with a piece of iron, which he used to lash Belgrave on his back. Belgrave then returned to his vehicle, retrieved a knife, and confronted Green. A struggle ensued in full view of bystanders, during which Green was stabbed three times in his back before collapsing on the street.
Emergency Medical Technicians rushed to the scene and transported Green to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). However, despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead by Dr Walcott while receiving treatment.
Police ranks quickly responded, arresting Belgrave and recovering both the knife and the iron rod believed to have been used in the scuffle. The scene was processed and CCTV cameras in the area reportedly captured the fatal confrontation.
In a statement under caution, Belgrave claimed he had been driving normally when Green rode alongside him and accused him of almost hitting him. After the initial argument, both men continued driving until the corner of Robb and Albert Street, where Green allegedly struck Belgrave with a steel pipe before returning to his motorcycle. Belgrave told Police he then armed himself with a knife from his car and confronted Green, leading to the deadly struggle.
The mechanic’s body is now at the GPHC mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
The Guyana Police Force is treating the incident as a suspected road rage killing and has assured that a thorough investigation is underway.
Anyone with additional information or relevant video footage is asked to contact the nearest Police station.