A 21-year-old security officer attached to the U.S. Embassy was brutally attacked and stabbed on Tuesday while travelling in a route 31 minibus.
The suspect, who was eventually apprehended, later succumbed to injuries sustained while being restrained by members of the public.
Police Headquarters said the incident occurred at around 21:00 hrs on March 15, when chaos erupted aboard the minibus as it was travelling along the La Grange Public Road, West Bank Demerara.
The injured woman has been identified as Fiona Jones, 21, who became the target of the unprovoked attack.
According to a statement from Police Headquarters, enquiries revealed that Jones was seated at the back of the minibus near a window when the incident unfolded.
After beaten and left unattended, block maker dies in Police custody
Police said the suspect, who was seated nearby, suddenly drew a knife from his waist and began threatening Jones and other passengers.
This caused the driver to pull over as passengers scrambled to safety. However, everyone except Jones managed to escape.
The suspect then grabbed Jones by the hair and stabbed her repeatedly, slashing at her head, neck, face, and hands. Despite her injuries, Jones managed to flee the bus, but the assailant pursued her relentlessly.
During the pursuit, alert citizens intervened, wrestled the suspect to the ground, and restrained him until police arrived.
Jones was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where she received treatment and was later discharged.
Meanwhile, the suspect, who had sustained injuries from the citizens, reportedly resisted arrest. Police said he attacked one of the ranks, lifting and slamming the officer to the ground and placing him in a chokehold.
The suspect was eventually subdued and taken to the La Grange Police Station. While in custody, police described his behaviour as aggressive. Emergency Medical Technicians were summoned, and due to his conduct, the suspect was relocated to the Parfaite Harmonie Police Station and placed in a monitored holding area.
Initially responsive, police said his condition later deteriorated. At approximately 01:57 hrs the following day, the suspect was found unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene.
“An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the suspect’s death is ongoing,” Police Headquarters stated.
However, relatives of the suspect, identified as Delon Lawrence, have provided a different account of events.
They alleged that Lawrence died while in police custody because he was not given medical attention despite his injuries.
The post Suspect dies in custody after stabbing female security officer in minibus appeared first on News Room Guyana.
