Opposition parties roundly condemn police over killings in Linden

Apr 09, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News – The Opposition political parties have roundly condemned the shooting to death of two Lindeners between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning and have urged that no effort be spared for a thorough investigation to be conducted and those responsible face the full force of the law.

On Monday afternoon, police shot and killed 23-year-old Ronald Peters and then on Tuesday, during a protest by Linden residents over the killing of the youth, another young man, Keon Dan Fogenay was gunned down by the lawmen. Government has since said that the Regional Security System (RSS) will lead the investigations and that policemen involved in the killings are under close arrest.

In a statement, the PNCR/APNU, in extending heartfelt condolences to the families of Peters and Johnson, said they are deeply disturbed by the excessive and fatal use of force in these incidents.

“Ronaldo was a young Guyanese with a promising future. His death is a painful reminder of the brokenness in our security sector — one that continues to fail our people under the dictates of the PPP/C. We emphasise our demand for greater accountability from the Government of Guyana. We call for improved training, better oversight, and a renewed commitment to human rights in the conduct of law enforcement in Guyana. How many more of Guyana’s youth must bear the brunt of PPP/C incompetence? How many more lives must be lost before real change is made?” the PNCR/APNU said, adding that the blood of Guyana’s sons and daughters must no longer be unnecessarily shed. “We stand with the people of Linden, and with every community calling out for justice.”

For their part, the Alliance For Change said in recent years, there have been multiple incidents in Guyana where police actions have resulted in the tragic deaths of young people. “Take, for instance, on July 18, 2012, during peaceful protests in Linden, three lives were lost, Ron Somerset (18), Shemroy Bouyea (24), and Allan Lewis (46), when police opened fire on unarmed demonstrators. A Commission of Inquiry found the police responsible. On June 10, 2022, Quindon Bacchus (23) was fatally shot in Haslington during a controversial police operation, sparking national outrage and widespread protests. Just a year later, on March 22, 2023, Randy Ronald Jerome (33) was killed by police in Wisroc, Linden, and Ronaldo Chapman (23) was wounded. Now, on Monday, April 7, 2025, we are once again plunged into mourning. Ronaldo Peters (23) was shot and killed by police under circumstances that reports suggest involved no threat, he was unarmed.” The AFC said these repeated acts of lethal force raise deep concerns about the culture within our law enforcement agencies. “As Lindeners, as citizens, and as human beings, we are outraged. We demand transparent, independent investigations, and we call for an end to the impunity that follows these tragedies. The lives lost are not statistics; they are sons, brothers, friends, and futures stolen. Linden will not stand idly by. These killings end now,” the AFC statement ended.

We demand justice

A New and United Guyana said it is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Peters’ life, expressing heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. “To make matters worse, the action of the police in question has led to demonstrations which have resulted in officers being hurt and, as reported, another fatality. Once again, we are forced to confront the senseless taking of lives at the hands of the law enforcement agencies. The killing of a young man, without any justifiable cause, is both heartbreaking and unacceptable. The use of excessive force in this instance has left a community in mourning and raised serious concerns about the conduct of those sworn to protect and serve. The killing of Mr. Peters mirrors those of Mr. Orin Boston and Mr. Quindon Bacchus, two of the more recent cases involving law enforcement agencies and for which families are still seeking justice,” ANUG said.

ANUG calls for an immediate, thorough, and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding these incidents and for those culpable to face the full brunt of the law. “We continue to urge our law enforcement officers to act within the bounds of the law, as guided by their standard operating protocols.  Given the plethora of such repeat incidents, we strongly advocate for better training in handling high-conflict situations and for the minimal use of deadly force to prevent further tragedies. We unequivocally condemn the actions of the police officers involved in these fatalities and call on the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served. We trust that the law will take its course, and that the memory of Ronaldo Peters will serve as a call for meaningful change,” ANUG stated.  Finally, the party also called on all citizens to let cooler minds prevail and “for us to honour our departed in a more respectful and peaceful manner.  Violence must never be the answer, and we must at all times abide by the law.  Let us be our brother’s keeper and remember that whenever the dust is settled, we must continue to live in harmony as One People, One Nation with One Destiny.”

The Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) movement, led by Simona Broomes, also strongly condemned what it described as “excessive use of force by the Guyana Police Force (GPF). ” Peters, who was fatally shot by a Sergeant on April 7, 2025, is yet another painful reminder of the unchecked excessive force that ranks of the GPF have been repeatedly demonstrated when interacting with civilians. The ALP is also outraged at the callous statement issued by the GPF claiming the officer’s service pistol “went off” during an attempt to arrest Mr. Peters. Despite video evidence of what actually occurred, the GPF offered no accountability, no comfort to the grieving family.”  The ALP said the GPF has once again insulted the intelligence of the Guyanese public and perpetuate the culture of impunity with which some members of its rank operate. “Peters now joins a long list of Guyanese men who lost their lives to the excessive force employed by the GPF. Repeated calls for justice for these men continue to fall on deaf ears. The ALP movement mourns the life lost and extends its sincerest condolences to the family, friends and extended community of Mr. Peters. Our movement reinforced what has been the demands of all Guyanese and calls for police reform and justice for Mr. Peters. The ALP will not stop until the police serve the people like they should and not endanger them,” the party stated.

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• Guyanese, Kaieteur News, PNCR/APNU, PPP/C, The ALP said the GPF

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