A male customer of RBC Finco was stabbed and is presently being treated for his injuries at the Rand Memorial Hospital.
The incident brought business at the financial institution to a screeching halt as police officials conducted their investigation into the matter.
When The Freeport News arrived on the scene, the victim had already been taken by paramedics into one of the two awaiting ambulances that were dispatched to the scene.
Eyewitnesses reported to The Freeport News that the victim, a heavy set male who appeared to be in his mid 30s was preparing to be served by a teller when he was approached by a younger male who began arguing with him.
The argument which was reportedly over money, intensified when the two men began choking and punching each other.
The younger male reportedly pulled out a weapon, some eyewitnesses claimed that it was a dagger, while others said that it was a screwdriver, and began stab-bing the victim about the body.
The victim tried to defend himself and was eventually able to wrestle the weapon from his attacker.
To their surprise, eyewitnesses said, that the victim began stabbing his attacker who ran through the bank’s entrance and fled the premises on foot.
The victim then fell to the ground and was assisted to the lobby of the bank by other customers until the ambulance arrived some eight minutes later. He was treated in the bank before being taken outside by paramedics.
Eyewitnesses further claimed that blood was everywhere and it was utter chaos. Employees, they said, were forcing customers out of the bank, telling them that they had to leave. They also noted that the security guards did not take any action when the incident occurred.
Acting police press liaison officer, Hector Delva told The Freeport News that the victim was a 38-year-old resident of Hawksbill and his alleged attacker was a 28- year-old resident of Freeport. Investigations, he said, were continuing in the matter and the victim’s condition was unknown up until press time yesterday.
By GENEA NOEL
Freeport News Senior Reporter
