The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) have launched an investigation into a fatal shooting incident that unfolded in Airy Hall, Mahaicony, on Wednesday.
The incident, which resulted in the deaths of Roger Erwin Pierre, also known as ‘Pants,’ and 68-year-old Frederick Williams, is under thorough review to determine the circumstances leading to the tragic events.
Roger Erwin Pierre, also known as “Pants”, throwing sand at the Police
The investigation comes after a series of violent events that began earlier that day.
At approximately 09:30h, Pierre, a labourer from Lot 11 Airy Hall Middle Walk, Mahaicony, was involved in an altercation with 63-year-old Laldat Tooknauth.
According to reports, Pierre, who was known to be struggling with drug addiction and mental health issues, stabbed Tooknauth, leaving him critically injured.
Tooknauth was immediately transported to Mahaicony Hospital and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) due to his critical condition.
Pierre had fled the scene after the attack, and police in the Mahaicony area quickly received information about his whereabouts.
By 10:30h, authorities were alerted that Pierre was at Novar School Dam, brandishing a knife and causing a disturbance. A team of police officers responded promptly to the location, where they encountered Pierre on Dundee Public Road.
Efforts to disarm Pierre were met with significant resistance. Despite being shot in his left foot, Pierre continued to disregard police orders, walking along the public road with the weapon still in hand.
As he reached Airy Hall, bystanders attempted to intervene, pleading for him to surrender peacefully.
However, Pierre’s aggression escalated when he began throwing glass bottles at both the officers and local residents.
He then concealed the knife in his waistband and armed himself with a steel rod from a nearby construction site.
Pierre’s violent actions reached a climax when he attacked 69-year-old Lambert Nunes, wounding him in the left hand.
At this point, Pierre continued to flee, pursued by both police officers and local residents who sought to subdue him.
Frederick Williams, a 68-year-old resident of Airy Hall, joined the group of men attempting to restrain Pierre, tackling him to the ground.
In the ensuing struggle, Pierre was able to seize the knife once again and fatally attacked Williams, repeatedly stabbing him in the head and other parts of his body.
This prompted the two police officers to fire multiple shots at Pierre, eventually rendering him motionless.
Both Pierre and Williams were rushed to Mahaicony Hospital, but Williams succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment. Pierre was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Preliminary examinations revealed that both men had sustained gunshot wounds, while Williams suffered multiple stab wounds.
The area was canvassed for CCTV footage, and statements from witnesses are being gathered, as part of the ongoing inquiry.
