Man fatally stabbed during dispute over sand digging in Aishalton Cemetery

Julio Mandook was fatally stabbed during a dispute over sand digging at the Aishalton Cemetery in Region Nine on Monday.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) said the altercation took place while Mandook and several others were digging sand from a walkway approximately 600 meters from the Aishalton Cemetery, where they were working on constructing a tomb. The group had been consuming alcohol during the work.

The suspect, 18-year-old Delson Brown, who is also from Aishalton Village, claimed he was heading home when he noticed Mandook digging sand from the walkway.

Concerned that the removal of sand would damage the walkway, Brown reportedly warned Mandook to stop. The situation quickly escalated into an argument, which turned physical.

During the scuffle, Brown allegedly stabbed Mandook in the chest before fleeing the scene. A fellow worker, who had been helping with the sand digging, later found Mandook bleeding from his wound.

He was rushed to the Aishalton District Hospital, where he received treatment and was admitted. While in the hospital, Mandook recounted the incident to his reputed wife. Unfortunately, he later succumbed to his injuries.

Following the incident, police were alerted, and Brown was subsequently arrested. He remains in police custody as the investigation continues.