Police in Guyana investigate the fatal shooting of a 32-year-old gold miner during an altercation at Sands Backdam on the Cuyuni River. Multiple outlets report that the incident occurred around 11:50 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026. The victim is identified as Ceton Courtman, also known as Ceton Smith, from St. Monica Village in the Upper Pomeroon River area.
According to preliminary investigations cited by the news reports, the miner was fatally shot during a confrontation at the backdam. INews Guyana and the other outlets state that a 27-year-old private security guard is in custody in connection with the death. The Guyana Chronicle and Kaieteur News describe the incident as involving the altercation and the subsequent shooting, with police handling the case as an alleged murder.
The reports do not provide further details about the circumstances leading to the confrontation, the cause of the dispute, or whether any other people were involved. Investigators are continuing inquiries into what happened at Sands Backdam.
