Linden shootings Home Affairs Minister visits bereaved families, meets senior Police officials

As the mining town of Linden in Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) continues to mourn the loss of two young men, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn on Saturday visited the family of the late Keon Fogenay, to offer heartfelt condolences following the recent tragic incident.

During his visit, Minister Benn conveyed the Government’s and the Ministry’s unwavering support, and reassured the grieving family of a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.
Minister Benn informed the family that an independent investigation is currently underway, which is being led by the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) alongside a team of investigators from the Regional Security System (RSS), who have since arrived in Linden.
Minister Benn also met with the mother of the late Kellroy Bradford of Block 22, Wismar, Linden, who was fatally stabbed on April 4, 2025. The Minister expressed his deepest sympathies and offered words of comfort and support to the bereaved family during this profoundly difficult time.
While efforts were made to personally visit the family of Ronaldo Peters, the family was otherwise engaged. Nevertheless, Minister Benn was able to establish telephone contact and extend his condolences and support.
Moreover, the Minster also met with Assistant Commissioner Kurleigh Simon, Regional Division 10 Commander, and team. Discussions focused on reinforcing the critical importance of upholding professional conduct, fostering positive community relations, and adhering to the appropriate use of the force continuum in the execution of police duties.

Minister Benn underscored the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that members of the GPF maintain the highest standards of professionalism and accountability, while strengthening trust and collaboration with the communities they serve. The meeting formed part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to support police leadership in maintaining law, order, and respect for human rights across the regions.
The engagements stem from last week, when, less than 24 hours after 21-year-old Ronaldo Peters, a young man from Linden region 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice) was shot and killed, allegedly by a police officer attached to the Wismar Police Station, hundreds of Lindeners took to the streets to protest for justice.
Peters was shot dead at around 17:30h last Monday, at One Mile, Wismar, Linden. The GPF in a statement said Peters was wanted for rape. In this regard, the police said a sergeant from the Wismar Police Station received information that Peters was seen at Shabba Bar in the One Mile area. As a result, the sergeant, armed with a 9mm service pistol, and another rank, armed with a .38 service revolver, went to the location.
Upon arrival at Shabba Shop, Peters was reportedly spotted, and, it is alleged, upon seeing the police ranks, he attempted to flee and tried to jump a nearby fence. According to police, the Sergeant managed to pull Peters off the fence, and during the process of restraining him, his service pistol, held in his right hand, discharged, striking Peters.
Following the shooting of peters in an unfortunate turn of events just before midday last Tuesday tensions quickly escalated between police and protestors, which resulted in the death of another young man, Keon Fogenay, commonly known as “Dan”.
According to a statement from the GPF, police discharged rounds at the crowd in an effort to mitigate the situation where they were burning tires and destroying Government infrastructure.
As the police engaged to protesters, they were greeted with missiles. The rounds discharged at the protesters caused the demise of Fogenay.
The ranks were placed under arrest, and the OPR has commenced investigations.
Several policemen were seen bleeding at the scene, from injuries received at the hands of protestors.
However, a family members of 32-year-old Fogenay is claiming that he was unlawfully killed. Fogenay, a resident of Block 22, Wismar, Linden, had just arrived in the mining town, after travelling from Georgetown, where he worked, the relative noted.