A Cuban citizen named Pedro Alexander Frometa Slonchak, 34, was fatally shot on Sunday in Georgetown, Guyana, by a security guard inside a local supermarket, according to reports from local media. The incident unfolded at approximately 9:47 a.m. at the Real Value supermarket, situated at the crossroads of Thomas and Church Streets in the Guyanese capital, as detailed by News Source Guyana.
The guard, identified as 25-year-old Kelvin Belgrave, was employed by KGM Security Service and was taken into custody shortly after the event. According to a police report cited by iNewsGuyana, Belgrave stated he noticed the victim entering and leaving the store multiple times and approached him to inquire if there was an issue.
Belgrave claimed that the Cuban then grabbed him, initiating a struggle, during which the Cuban allegedly brandished a knife. The guard recounted that he managed to disarm Frometa Slonchak, stabbing him in the right shoulder and head. Subsequently, he drew his service weapon and fired six times, hitting the victim four times—once in the chest, twice in the abdomen, and once in the knee. The Cuban collapsed and died at the scene before emergency services could arrive.
Guyana's police have indicated they possess surveillance footage from inside the supermarket that may shed light on the incident. The security guard, a resident of the Sophia community, remains in custody pending further investigation.
The tragic event has deeply affected the Cuban community in Guyana, where many immigrants seek better opportunities away from the island but often encounter violence and insecurity. In a related incident, José Aurelio Ramírez, a 54-year-old Cuban, was stabbed to death in April this year in the Melanie Market Street area. The police apprehended Tyrese Blair, 18, and Omar Clayton Bacchus, 21, as the main suspects.
Earlier, in October 2024, 25-year-old Cuban teacher Yuni Zamora Castro from Tunero was murdered in the locality of Kitty, allegedly by her partner, who subsequently took his own life after the crime.
Understanding the Context of Violence in Guyana
What led to the shooting incident at the supermarket?
The incident began when the security guard noticed the victim frequently entering and exiting the store. Upon approaching him, a physical altercation ensued, leading to the guard disarming the victim and eventually shooting him.
What is the Cuban community's reaction to the incident?
The Cuban community in Guyana is shaken by the event, as many immigrants face similar challenges of violence and insecurity while seeking better lives away from Cuba.