A man was killed in an attack by a drug addict yesterday at Bennett Dam, West Coast Berbice, while his wife was giving birth to their first child at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.
Arshad Ali, 25, of Bennett Dam, was on his way to visit his pregnant wife at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, when the suspect reportedly ran up to him and dealt him a blow to his head with an iron bar.
Ali, who was a factory worker at the Blairmont Sugar Estate, was picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Ali’s wife, who was unaware of his death up to press time, gave birth to a daughter at the same hospital.
Stabroek News was told that the suspect was subsequently apprehended by lawmen.
According to information gathered, the man, who is a known drug addict, had a prior dispute with one of Ali’s in-laws some time ago. The dispute reached the magistrate’s court and the suspect was eventually sentenced. He was reportedly released from prison over a week ago.
“He [the suspect] is a dope man and whole day he a walk with a bag on he back and piece wood in he hand,” a villager said.
Mohamed Ahmad told Stabroek News that it was at the hospital that he learnt that Ali, his nephew, had been hit to the head with a metal bar.
He noted that Ali, who once lived with him, never had issues with anyone. “He na had no problem. I know him all his life. He [was] a very quiet, easygoing guy,” the grieving uncle said.
Ali moved in to Bennett Dam when he married his wife. Like his uncle, villagers described Ali as a quiet person, who interfered with no one.
