GWI worker stabbed to death allegedly by Venezuelan

Toralpher Simon Harry, a 30-year-old porter employed by Guyana Water Inc., was fatally stabbed early Sunday morning during an argument with his alleged attacker, a Venezuelan national on the Vreed-en-Hoop Public Road, West Bank Demerara.

The incident occurred around 03:00 hrs in the vicinity of the Bright Star Chinese Restaurant.

According to initial reports, the suspect, a Venezuelan national who is yet to be identified, remains on the run.

Police Headquarters stated that Harry, a resident of Lot 24 Best Village (Foreshore), West Coast Demerara and his friend, 30-year-old Naipaul Sukhdeo, had earlier attended a Car and Bike Show at the Leonora National Stadium and were heading home when they stopped to purchase hot dogs at a stall opposite Bright Star Chinese Restaurant.

Sukhdeo recounted that while they were placing their order, Harry became involved in an argument with the suspect.

The verbal altercation quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, which continued across the southern side of the roadway near Dalga Luck Chinese Restaurant, Police said.

It was at this point, Sukhdeo said, that the suspect drew a knife.

In an attempt to defend himself, Harry removed his belt and tried to fight off the attacker. He ran back across to the northern side of the road but collapsed shortly after, bleeding heavily from a wound to the neck.

According to Sukhdeo, the suspect then boarded a minibus parked near the hot dog stand and fled the scene, heading east toward the Vreed-en-Hoop junction.

Realising the severity of the injury, Sukhdeo rushed to his friend’s aid and observed a stab wound on the left side of his neck.

Harry was immediately transported to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by the doctor on duty.

Police investigators who responded to the scene recovered a knife without a handle, believed to be the murder weapon, along with a brown belt. Both items bore what appeared to be bloodstains.

Law enforcement also canvassed the area for surveillance footage and confirmed the presence of several CCTV cameras in close proximity to the incident, which are expected to aid in the ongoing investigation.

Harry’s body was examined and a single suspected stab wound was observed to his neck.

His remains have since been taken to Ezekiel Funeral Home, where a post-mortem examination is pending.

Police are appealing to the public for any information that may lead to the identification and apprehension of the suspect.