Sophia labourer dies after cutlass battle with neighbour
A labourer was fatally stabbed by his neighbour in ‘B’ Field, Sophia, on Monday evening, after a cutlass battle that reportedly stemmed from an old grievance between them.
Roy Beckles, 45, called “Fish Cake,” who was a father of three of the B’ Field Squatting Area, Sophia, succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where he was taken after suffering a single stab wound to his right shoulder.
The police yesterday afternoon issued a wanted bulletin for the neighbour, who has been identified as Troy Tasho, 42, also known as “19,” who is a mason.
Tasho, the police said, whose last known addresses are B’ Field Reserve, Sophia, and Back Circle, East Ruimveldt, is wanted for questioning in relation to the murder of Beckles.
A knife and a cutlass, suspected to be the murder weapons, were recovered by the police at the scene.
Although several checks were made for Tasho, he had still not been apprehended up to press time.
In a statement on the murder, the police said that their investigations have revealed that Beckles was on his way home when he observed his wife and the suspect arguing. “He intervened and the suspect, who was armed with a cutlass and knife, attacked and stabbed the victim to his right shoulder,” it said.
Stabroek News was told by witnesses that Beckles had just returned home from work and had parked his bicycle when he noticed his wife, Emily Hayles, and Tasho arguing in front of their house. As a result, he intervened and ended up in a heated argument with Tasho.
At this point, Tasho allegedly ran into his yard and armed himself with a cutlass and knife and then returned. Beckles also armed himself with a cutlass, which he had been carrying on his bicycle.
They subsequently confronted each other and Beckles allegedly fired several chops at Tasho. However, his cutlass reportedly fell from his hand and he began to run and was chased by Tasho, who caught him and inflicted the fatal wound.
Beckles collapsed and was subsequently rushed to the hospital, after which Tasho fled the scene.
At the scene yesterday, relatives and persons in the area had different accounts of what transpired.
However, Hayles, who witnessed the confrontation, related to this newspaper that Tasho would frequently throw hints at her. The most recent instance, she said, was on Monday evening, shortly before the fatal confrontation.
“Anytime he see me anywhere, he always got something to tell me and curse up and yesterday he pass at me shop (in front the house) and throwing he hints and I just answer he back,” she said.
This, according to Hayles, led to an exchange of words between her and Tasho and it eventually escalated after her husband’s intervention.
“Is come home me husband did just come home and he park he bicycle in front the shop when he hear the cussing out… right away he did done know is what happen so he didn’t had to ask,” she explained.
Hayles further related that some three months ago, Tasho and Beckles worked together to build a roof and her husband was still owed for his labour. Since then, things have been sour between them, she said.
“The roof did cost $100,000 and is only the other day he [Beckles] get 10 grand, so yesterday [Monday] he [Beckles] use the word and say that they done rob he and right there everything start between them,” she explained.
“This thing going on long not now…,” she added.
Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Tasho is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 229-2289, 229-2019, 222-2232, 229— 2655, 225-6411, 225-8196, 2252227, 225-0575, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence, police said.