By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News |
BETERVERWAGTING, EAST COAST DEMERARA — A 39-year-old resident of La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara, has succumbed to a gunshot wound following an armed altercation outside a commercial hub in Beterverwagting on Saturday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Kevon Benjamin, of Onion Field, La Bonne Intention.
The incident, which occurred outside the Smiling Chinese Supermarket along the Beterverwagting Railway Embankment at approximately 5:45 PM on Saturday, September 12, 2026, has taken a critical investigative turn following the emergence of surveillance video footage capturing the exact moments leading to the fatal shot.
Newly Surfaced CCTV Footage Captures Deadly Sequence
While initial police reports cited an argument stemming from music being played outside the business, CCTV recordings obtained by HGP Nightly News provide visual clarity on the sequence of escalation:
- Initial Confrontation: The footage depicts an on-duty security officer approaching an unidentified man who appeared to be playing music outside the supermarket. The security guard is observed advancing with a firearm already drawn in his hand.
- Armed Escalation: Seconds later, Kevon Benjamin enters the frame holding a hammer. The footage shows Benjamin moving directly toward the armed security guard as the guard advances toward him.
- The Fatal Shot: As both men close the distance, a single gunshot rings out, and Benjamin instantly collapses to the pavement after sustaining a penetrating bullet strike to his lower abdomen.
Security Guard Detained; Weapon and Ballistics Seized
The security officer involved has been identified as 46-year-old Seon Moses, a resident of North Melanie, East Coast Demerara.
Following the discharge, Benjamin was rushed by emergency responders to the Enmore Regional Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery; however, he succumbed to his internal injuries while receiving treatment.
Ranks from Regional Police Division 4’C’ moved swiftly to secure the crime scene and detain Moses:
- Firearm Recovery: A physical search of Moses yielded a 9-millimeter Beretta semi-automatic pistol along with a magazine containing 16 matching live rounds. Moses produced a Force Security Service precept authorizing his carriage of the weapon.
- Physical Evidence: Crime scene technicians processed the pavement outside the supermarket, recovering a single spent 9-millimeter shell casing.
- Forensic Processing: Detectives subjected Moses to gunshot residue (GSR) swabbing, while the clothing he wore during the incident was confiscated and sealed for forensic laboratory analysis.
The recovered CCTV video footage has been officially marked and entered into the police investigation file. Moses remains held in police custody without bail as homicide detectives conclude witness statements and prepare the case docket for formal court presentation.
