Earl France, 24, of Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara died yesterday afternoon shortly after he sustained a single stab wound to the left side in the region of his heart.

Police in a press statement issued last evening said they are investigating the murder of France  which occurred shortly after 3 pm at Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt.

France and another man, according to police, were involved in an argument during which he was stabbed to his chest. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC). The suspect has been arrested and is in police custody, the release said.

Relatives of the deceased told Stabroek News that France was visiting a cousin at Laing Avenue yesterday afternoon. Cindy Greene, France’s ex-lover and mother of their three children, had taken their youngest child to see him.

The stabber, a relative of the woman, was reportedly annoyed. France’s relatives informed this newspaper that the men did not get along and as a result the relative did not want France to see Cindy or their children.

A woman, who did not identify herself, said France was carrying his youngest child when the relative approached and an argument ensued which led to a minor physical confrontation. Reports are that the relative left to get the weapon with which he fatally stabbed France.

“After the two of dem had dem lil scuffle,” the woman recalled, “he [the relative] lef’ and say he coming back…next thing we see he come running back with two knife.”

Earl France

According to witnesses, France was cleaning his motor bike at the street corner when his alleged attacker approached. France, witnesses said, had no time to “fight back”. The relative, they explained, returned wielding two knives one of which he allegedly used to stab France in the chest.

Cindy told Stabroek News that she was present when France was wounded and had attempted to stop her relative. The woman said that she held on to one of her relative’s hands but was “cuffed” to the belly then “slapped” on one hand with a knife.

France was rushed to the GPHC by relatives but was pronounced dead on arrival. When this newspaper visited the scene of the incident yesterday afternoon a number of residents were present and several arguments were occurring simultaneously as France’s relatives debated the incident with neighbours.

Several residents, who witnessed the stabbing, were taken by police to give statements. The relative remained in police custody up to press time.

France lived with an “adopted aunt” at Vryheid’s Lust. The same aunt, relatives said, owned a stall in Stabroek Market and it was with her he had worked.