Widow of Lindener shot dead by police files $200M lawsuit against state

The common-law wife of 21-year-old Ronaldo Peters of Linden, who was shot and killed by police on April 7, 2025, has filed a $200 million lawsuit against the state.
The fatal shooting occurred in April and sparked widespread protests across Linden. Police Sergeant Philbert Kendall has since been charged with Peters’ murder and remanded to prison. According to reports, the lawsuit was filed by attorney-at-law Darren Wade, which revealed that Benjamin is seeking damages for negligence, claiming that the police officer’s actions violated Peters’ constitutional right to life under Article 138.

The widow, Ashanti Benjamin, alleges that Peters was unarmed and posed no threat and that the use of lethal force was unnecessary, excessive, and unlawful. Benjamin is also seeking aggravated and exemplary damages, along with any other relief the court deems just.
She further argues that Peters’ right to protection of the law under Article 149 was violated when he was denied prompt and adequate medical attention after being shot. Moreover, Benjamin is asking the Court to declare that the conduct of the police – both in the use of lethal force and their failure to provide medical aid – amounts to a violation of Article 141, which protects against inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
She argues that the treatment Peters received before and after the shooting fell far below the standards of decency guaranteed by the Constitution and international human rights law. It was reported that the now-deceased man was wanted for questioning in connection with the alleged rape of a child under 16.
Police stated that on the day in question, a police sergeant from the Wismar Police Station received information that Peters, also known as “MMR”, was seen at a popular bar in the One Mile area. As a result, the sergeant, armed with a 9mm service pistol, and another officer, armed with a .38 service revolver, went to the location.
Both officers were in full uniform. Upon arrival at the location, Peters was reportedly spotted, but 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.
Peters was taken to the Mackenzie Public Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment. The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) launched a probe into the incident and subsequently recommended charges be laid against 45-year-old Sergeant Philbert Kendall. He was subsequently charged and remanded to prison.