Latest update April 7th, 2026 12:30 AM
DPP orders inquest into Kayla Barnabus’ death
Kaieteur News – The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, has advised police that a Coroner’s Inquest be conducted into the death of 12-year-old Kayla Barnabus.
Dead, Kayla Barnabus
As reported on, Barnabus was the West Demerara Secondary School student who was struck and killed by a police vehicle along the Goed Fortuin Public Road, earlier this month.
When contacted recently, Commander of Region Three, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Siwnarine, informed this publication that the file was returned and that an inquest was advised by the DPP to determine the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death. The police officer involved in accident has since been placed under open arrest.
It was reported that on June 1, last, sometime around 15:45hrs, Barnabus was struck by a police vehicle while attempting to cross the Goed Fortuin Public Road to go home.
The Force’s vehicle was at the time being driven by a police corporal and was reportedly speeding at the time.
It is alleged that the corporal was driving the vehicle along the eastern side of the road when Barnabas ran across the road into his path. According to police reports, the officer claimed that he swerved but could not avoid hitting her.
Eyewitnesses had related to this publication that the girl was dropped off that afternoon by a bus and stood at the pedestrian crossing where she was waiting to cross the road.
Two vehicles had passed but then a car stopped with its hazard light on, allowing Barnabus to cross. But as she hurried across, the speeding police vehicle slammed into her. Police said that the corporal was trying to overtake the vehicle after it had stopped.
An injured girl was picked up from the road and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where the doctors on duty pronounced her dead on arrival.
Barnabus, who was known by many in her community, was described as a godly child who was brilliant and kind.
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