President expects impartial probe of Dartmouth killing

…to visit grieving family upon return to Guyana
…businessman laid to rest

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday committed that, upon his return to Guyana, he would visit family and community members of 29-year-old Orin Boston, who was killed during a Police operation at his Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast home on September 15.

The Guyanese Head of State is currently in New York, where he attended the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He made the commitment to visit the family and community during a press conference from New York, wherein he noted that this matter would be top on his agenda when he returns.
“On my return…I would like to have that opportunity to engage the family and the community. As you know, we have not shied away from any of these issues. Our philosophy is engagement, and I will be engaging the family and the community also,” President Ali said.
Boston, a businessman and father of two, was shot at around 04:00hrs by the SWAT officers who went to his home during an anti-crime operation in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Impartial probe
In an official statement, the Police said there was a confrontation between the officers and the businessman, during which he was shot. The Police’s Office of Professional Responsibility (PRO) has conducted an investigation into the matter, and the file has been sent to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) for review.
However, family members were demanding an independence probe into the matter. In fact, the man’s wife is alleging that her husband was shot while he was in bed.

Noting that he expects a thorough and impartial probe was conducted, President Ali has said the matter would be prioritised upon his return to Guyana.
“On my return, this is one of the matters that will be priority on the agenda…On my return, I will have a full update on where this matter is,” the Head of State explained.
“I have already made it very clear that this would be an impartial investigation, that the Police will have to act professionally…we’re gonna support a thorough investigation, and let us see, let us await the outcome of the Police investigation… Sometimes we move quickly to cast judgment or condemn the operations of the Police, but let us see what comes out of the investigation,” President Ali added.

Reject
In response to a question from the media, the Guyanese Head of State rejected the accusations being made by some players in the Opposition camp that the killing of Boston translates to the “return of extrajudicial killings” in Guyana.
“The narrative that was created about extrajudicial killing was a disgusting narrative aimed at discrediting the PPP/Civic Government…it has no basis, it was not factual, and we have dismantled it,” President Ali contended, highlighting, too, that the allegations were debunked in a Stabroek News publication.
“Our vision in Government is to bring this country together. Our vision in Government is to develop Guyana in a peaceful environment, in an environment in which every Guyanese enjoys prosperity. So, you can’t return to something that never existed,” the President added.

Keep the Peace
Following the killing of Boston, residents of Dartmouth erupted in violent protests, which lasted for a few days. The protests saw the blocking of the main thoroughfare through the burning of debris, resulting in commuters having to exit their vehicles to traverse the ruckus. In fact, even persons who were fetching the dead had to leave their vehicles behind and physically carry bodies through the protest line.
Hours after Police in that region had succeeded in clearing the road of debris, residents returned to block the road and burn debris as they demanded justice.
However, for the past week, the road remained clear as residents have reportedly promised to keep the peace until the investigation into Boston’s killing is concluded.
This commitment was made following a visit by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn to the community, where he met with residents and family members of the late Orin Boston. The family members asked for a speedy investigation, so that they could ascertain the motive behind the incident, and also to have closure. In addition, the family urged for the Guyana Police Force to provide more training sessions for ranks, so as to avoid any such recurrence.
Additionally, a statement from the Guyana Police Force noted that Boston’s father, during his emotional interaction with the Minister, promised that he would hold the peace until justice is served.
At a press conference hours after the shooting, Police Commissioner (ag) Nigel Hoppie indicated that Boston was killed during an anti-crime operation put into force based on intelligence gathered. He could not say what the Police were searching for when they entered the home of the businessman. However, he admitted that nothing illegal was found during the raid.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum had told reporters that Boston had never been prosecuted by the Police.

Laid to rest
Boston’s body was on Friday laid to rest even as family members have many questions over the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise.
In attendance at the funeral service were the Prime Ministerial representative for Region Two, Arnold Adams, Regional Vice Chairman Humance Oodit, and other regional officials.
“Orin Boston was a very kind-hearted person, a person with integrity of character, a man of no discrimination… I can see all this as a fact when I look at the video, how he danced the Chutney song look how poowah wine and swing she waist,” a loved one expressed during the farewell service.
One of Boston’s former teachers also attended the funeral service, where she recalled fond memories of a younger Boston always getting into trouble at school.
“Boston will cover for all his friends and take all the blame for their mischievous behaviours. He will stand in the office and tell HM he did this and did that, and that his friends didn’t…That’s the type of person he was…” the teacher noted. (G11)