Ronaldo Peters’ death: Protester shot, cops injured, Govt property torched in clashes
…protestors set fire on new US$35M Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge
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 have fled to the streets to protest for justice.
In an unfortunate turn of events just before midday on Tuesday tensions quickly escalated between police and protestors which resulted in the death of a young man.
Dead is Keon Fogenay, commonly known as “Dan”.
Dead: 32-year-old Keon Fogenay also known as “Dan”
According to a statement from the Guyana Police Force (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 a protester. The ranks were placed under arrest and the Office of Professional Responsibility has commenced investigations. Members of the Regional Security System (RSS) will lead an independent investigation. 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.
One of the officers, who sustained injuries while trying to contain the crowd
Fogenay, a resident of Block 22, Wismar, Linden, had just arrived in the mining town, after travelling from Georgetown. Fogenay was employed in Georgetown, the relative noted.
Meanwhile, the protest which initially began at around 06:00h with a small gathering at Boom Bread Corner, rapidly intensified in less than an hour with persons assembling at the Four Corner, blocking off sections of the One Mile public road.
They subsequently moved to both the existing and new US$35 million Wismar to Mackenzie bridges, setting fire to both structures – interfering with construction works as well as disrupting the transportation network.
The residents said that they were protesting for a thorough investigation into the police killing of the Linden youth, Ronaldo Peters.
Peters was shot dead at around 17:30h on 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. It is alleged that 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.
