A 21-year-old was killed on Sunday as a result of a $500 gambling debt after his friend stabbed him twice to the chest at Third Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dead is Mervin Squires, 21, of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara. He leaves to mourn his parents and two sisters.

The suspect was arrested and is in Police custody assisting with investigations.

Reports are that a group of men were gambling cards when Squires and another young man had an argument over money which later turned into a deadly confrontation.

According to one eyewitness, Squires and his attacker had an argument over a $500 gambling debt.

“They were gambling cards and Squires pulled off his attacker’s gold chain from around his neck. Then is one big fight, and Squires get ‘juck’ with an ice pick,” he said.

Squires was then taken to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to one relative, Squires’ mother, who is a teacher, received the news of her son’s demise while she was at church.

The relative explained that the duo were friends and would usually socialize and hang out at the corner together.

“This is very sad, they were good friends who would lime and hang out and gaff a lot,” the relative said. “He was stabbed with an ice pick and a knife.”