Four farmers whose watermelon farms are located close to the Number 63 Beach are in custody following the killing of a 16-year-old lad on Sunday but so far police have not been able to make any headway.

Vivian Singh Balrup

Vivian Singh Balrup of Reliance, East Canje was in the company of a female friend, Susan Hernandez, 15, when he reportedly picked a watermelon from a farm and shared it with her.

They were both later attacked by an irate farmer. A police source said that while no information regarding the incident has been forthcoming from the farmers, the police are hoping to make a breakthrough very soon.

Balrup sustained several hits to the back of his head which left a gaping wound that bled profusely while Susan sustained gashes on her forehead and other areas.

They were rushed to the emergency unit of the New Amsterdam Hospital and Hernandez was treated and sent away but Balrup succumbed while arrangements were being made to transfer him to the Georgetown Hospital.

In a press release, the police said investigations revealed that Balrup and Hernandez of New Amsterdam were with friends at the beach and Balrup had reportedly picked the fruit.

Later, while Balrup and Hernandez were walking along the beach they were attacked by a man armed with a length of bamboo who dealt lashes to both students, after which he escaped, according to the release.