Fatal Police pursuit.. “We want justice” – mother calls for answers after teen dies in crash 

The mother of 16-year-old Aftaz King is calling for justice as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) investigates the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s fatal crash during a Police pursuit on Thursday.
“We want justice for my son. I only want justice,” Padmini Meghnauth said through tears as she recalled seeing her son’s lifeless body at the Number 75 Village Hospital.
Meghnauth said she first learned something had happened when she received a telephone call from a relative, informing her that her son was in an accident.

She and her husband immediately made their way to the Number 75 Village Hospital, where she said she was escorted into a room by a doctor.
“When I go in, I see my son lying motionless on the bed, not moving…There was blood on his head, everywhere. There was injury on his ears and the back…”
The motorcycle had crashed into a utility pole as the teen rode away from Police on Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, King’s father, Rakesh Sahadew, also questioned the manner in which the pursuit was allegedly conducted, but admitted, however, that the teen was not a licensed rider.
“The bike doesn’t have a licence, but there are different ways you can stop the bike. Imagine the whole motorbike broke up into pieces,” he lamented.
The family described Aftaz as a caring teenager whose future had only just begun.
“He was a cool child; loving, caring. Never had no problem with him, no complaint,” his mother said.

Although he left school before completing his CSEC examinations, Meghnauth said her son had planned to join the GPF. According to her, his uncle, who serves in the force, had already begun helping him with the application process.
“His uncle is in the Force… we already send the documents,” she said.
Despite her grief, Meghnauth said she has to remain strong for her two other children.
“It is very hard on me. It’s really hard. I still have to live because I have two children to live with. I have to be strong for them.”

Sped away
Meanwhile, the GPF in a statement on the matter, said that ranks attempted to stop a motorcycle being ridden by the teenager, but he allegedly failed to comply and sped away, resulting in a pursuit. Police said the motorcycle later crashed into a utility pole, splitting it during the impact. King sustained severe injuries and was transported to the Number 75 Village Hospital, where he later died.
The GPF also stated that its Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding King’s death.
Police said investigators are expected to examine all aspects of the incident, including the actions of the officers involved, as the probe continues.

Commander’s visit
Meanwhile, Regional Police Commander Assistant Commissioner Shivpersaud Bacchus on Friday led a team that visited King’s mother and grandmother to offer condolences on behalf of Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken.
The delegation, which also included members of the GPF’s Cops and Faith initiative, assured the family that a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation was underway.
Bacchus told the relatives that the OPR, headed by Superintendent Elton Baird, was actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death and urged the family and anyone with information to cooperate with investigators.
“We don’t want to speculate; we don’t want to put blame on someone. If the Police are wrong, they will feel the brunt of the law like any other who would have done wrong against a member of the community,” the commander told the family.
He added, “We are looking forward to your support, your loved one’s support, and every other person who may witness or know what went wrong,” Bacchus implored.