The police will be conducting an internal investigation into last Saturday’s fatal shooting of Nidal Watkins even as his relatives say they will be meeting among themselves to discuss a way forward.
Stabroek News was unable to contact Police Commissioner (ag) Leroy Brumell or Crime Chief Seelall Persaud yesterday.
However, senior police officials told this newspaper that as in all cases of police shootings, the incident will have to be investigated.
The policewoman who fired the fatal bullet, according to reports, has not been placed under close arrest. According to one official, the police were under threat and were merely trying to defend themselves.
The shooting occurred outside Watkin’s Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo home.
Contacted yesterday his niece Nikita told this newspaper that the family has heard nothing from the police. She said that there will be a family meeting to discuss what steps should be taken.
Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination conducted yesterday on Watkins revealed that he died as a result of perforation of the lungs and blood vessels, due to multiple gunshot wounds. This newspaper was told that he was shot at least three times.
Police said in a press release that Watkins “was fatally shot by police at Vergenoegen following a cutlass attack on two ranks stationed in Police ‘D’ Division”.
The incident, according to the release, occurred around 14:30 hrs.
The release said police officers from the Leonora Police Station, responding to reports of domestic violence and arson at Meten-Meer-Zorg and threatening language at his mother’s home at Vergenoegen leveled against him, went to arrest Watkins. Watkins’ reputed life lives at Meten-Meer-Zorg.
“Armed with two cutlasses and a knife the suspect attacked Corporal 19364 Williams chopping him several times and Constable 21310 Solomon who went to aid Williams on his left hand,” the release said adding that Watkins was shot in the process and died before receiving medical attention at the Leonora Hospital. The ranks, the release said were referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital in “serious condition”.
Constable Solomon was later discharged after receiving treatment while the other rank was taken to the operating theatre. He was later admitted to the open ward. He declined to speak with this newspaper yesterday.
Nikita had told this newspaper that her uncle was experiencing some mental issues which may have been aggravated by his mother’s recent death. She had recounted that the man threatened to burn the house and as such the police were called in.
When the ranks arrived, according to her, Watkins, who was armed with a cutlass, ran and locked the gate while firmly stating that that was his yard.
One rank approached the gate with a gun and a round was discharged. This apparently angered Watkins who ran out of the yard and chopped the two ranks. He was later shot in the leg and according to Nikita, Watkins raised his hands in surrender. Despite this he was shot by a policewoman.
