Boy miner, 14, beaten to death at Puruni

A 14-year-old miner died after he was allegedly by beaten by two Brazilian miners last Tuesday evening at Chinese Creek, Puruni.

Dead is Elton Thompson of South Rupununi. His two assailants are on the run. Police said in a statement that they are investigating the alleged murder. The incident occurred at about 8pm on Tuesday at Chinese Creek.

The police said that investigations revealed that Thompson and another miner, Jonas Perreira, 26, of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, were drinking together with two Brazilian nationals. “It is alleged that an argument developed between the two miners and the two Brazilians during which the Brazilians assaulted them with pieces of wood about their bodies,” the police said.

Thompson and Perreira were taken to the Bartica Hospital where Thompson was pronounced dead on arrival, while Perreira was admitted.

Efforts are being made to get the body and the injured man to Georgetown, the police said.
A team of investigating ranks is in the Puruni area but so far the suspects have not been arrested, the release added.