The policeman accused of being the shooter responsible for the death of teenager Shaquille Grant has been identified by the three other civilians who were present during the confrontation.
Chairman of the AFC and attorney Nigel Hughes yesterday told Stabroek News that the shooter was identified by the young men who were with Grant, 17, and this information was given to an officer attached to the Office for Professional Responsibility (OPR), which is conducting an investigation of the police’s actions in the case. Hughes added that the alleged shooter was performing sentry duty at Eve Leary when he was identified.
Grant, of Lot 72 ‘BB’ Eccles, East Bank Demerara, was fatally shot some time after 11 am one week ago at Third Street, Agricola, where Romel Bollers, 19, was also shot. The police force said that ranks opened fire after they were first fired upon and that a gun was later recovered.
Acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell yesterday told this newspaper that the case file would be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack for further advice.
When asked for a response to new statements that the boys had seen a policeman executing Grant, Brumell told reporters that he could only wait until investigations are concluded; he could not prejudge. “We got first that it was an armed confrontation. We have two sides saying different things; police saying one thing and the other side saying something else. To get this clarified, you have to investigate,” he added, when asked about initial reports coming out of the Police Public Relations Department.
In a brief statement after the shooting, police force spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker had said that ranks on a mobile police patrol came under fire from a group of men at Caesar Street, Agricola. He said the ranks returned fire, fatally wounding Grant and injuring Bollers. “A .38 Smith and Wesson revolver was recovered by the police,” the statement had said.
Meanwhile, as relatives and friends bid goodbye to Grant today they cling to the hope that justice will prevail in the matter. Grant will be laid to rest today after a simple ceremony and viewing in the community where he was killed and where he spent most of his time.
His aunt Melissa said that the service will be kept at the Agricola Wesleyan Church, followed by a viewing of the body at the Agricola Ball Field. The burial will take place at Le Repentir Cemetery.
She stated that the family is awaiting word from the police about the investigation. She added that members of the AFC and main opposition APNU remain supportive throughout the ordeal while the government has not shown much interest in the matter.
“Nigel [Hughes] and so on does come to the wake and call us to find out how everything is going and so, but nobody from the PPP or anybody representing the government talk to us or anything,” she said.
Stabroek News was told that police launched an operation in the community after receiving information that a gang was planning to commit a crime. Despite the police’s account that when the ranks arrived at Third Street, someone opened fire, resulting in an exchange that left Grant dead, eyewitnesses said one officer was seen standing over the teen as he fired bullets into his body.
