East Bank Demerara.The victim

micevan1l6

A 22-year-old miner was stabbed to death around 05:00 hrs yesterday during an argument with a friend at a house in First Dam, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara.The victim, Vernon Ronaldo, was found slumped in a chair. He had sustained a gaping wound that left his intestines protruding.His assailant fled the scene but was subsequently apprehended on the Soesdyke/Linden highway.He reportedly confessed to the killing after being brought back to the scene.Kaieteur News understands that the suspect claimed that he stabbed Ronaldo because the miner had sold a quantity of raw gold for him but had refused to turn over the money.Police are also questioning a sister of the slain man and her husband. The couple lives in the house where the murder occurred.A police release said that Ronaldo and another man were imbibing when an argument broke out during which Ronaldo was stabbed. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).A neighbour who spoke with Kaieteur News recalled hearing persons in the house arguing early yesterday morning. However, the woman said that she thought nothing of it, since the occupants often quarreled.But later in that day a police vehicle stopped near her house and the ranks asked her if she had any information about a stabbing.The neighbour said she told the policemen she was unaware of any incident, but then decided to enquire at the home where Ronaldo was staying. It was then that an occupant informed her of the murder.Kaieteur News was told that after killing Ronaldo, the suspect fled the scene on foot.The murder sceneA member of a community policing group who was driving along the Soesdyke/Linden highway later spotted the suspect walking in the area.A source said that the man, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, claimed that relatives at Land of Canaan had evicted him and he was going to stay at other relatives at Moblissa. The man reportedly also said that he had done something that he regretted.The suspicious CPG member took the suspect back to Land of Canaan, where occupants of the house identified him as the person who had stabbed Ronaldo.Relatives of the slain man said that Ronaldo was originally from the North West District, but left the area some eight years ago.He came out of the interior about five days ago and was to return today.