Guns are still being fired by owners of moored boats on the Demerara River, a year after the death of 14-year-old Ryan Persaud, who was fatally injured by a stray bullet which was fired from a moored boat in front of his house at a Vive la Force resident.
The police force’s divisional commander has since vowed to look into the allegation that the practice continues, and has been reported at neigbhouring Free and Easy.
On September 2, 2013, Ryan was in front of his house catching shrimp with friends when he collapsed after complaining of something stinging him on his back. He later died at the West Demerara Regional Hospital while receiving emergency treatment.
His mother, Deborah Persaud, told Stabroek News that the shooting exercises that claimed the life of her son continue. She said that three weeks ago one such exercise occurred two villages away at Free and Easy.
The wooden structure that the family once called home is now concrete and Deborah said although she will forever be haunted by the death of her son, she is happy that the dangerous practice that claimed his life is no longer in Vive la Force. But the concerned parent said that although the practice has moved from the village, “I wouldn’t want what happened to Ryan to happen to any other child.”
When asked about how she felt in light of the fact that her son’s shooter will never be prosecuted because no eyewitness came forward to offer evidence, the woman simply replied, “God saw who fired the shot and he will judge them… so I leave it to God.” However, Deborah said that four months ago she relented from her decision to accept that Ryan’s shooter will go unpunished and contacted the police, only to hear once more that nothing can be done unless an eyewitness comes forward.
Then Crime Chief, now Commissioner of Police (ag) Seelall Persaud, had previously told this newspaper that it is possible that the warhead first hit something and a small part came off and struck the teen. He said that the fragment, which was recovered from the child’s body, would be sent for testing.
Based on what he had stated, the case is at a dead end as what was recovered from the teen’s body did not have the required marking for a comparison to be made. He said that investigators needed the outer part of the bullet.
Residents had revealed after the teen’s death that they had complained to police ranks before about the shooting but no action had been taken. As a result, an internal investigation had been launched by ranks of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).
When contacted ‘D’ Division commander Senior Superintendent Ian Amsterdam was unable to say what happened to the investigation into the conduct of ranks in relation to the matter by the OPR. Amsterdam did say, however, that he will follow up the allegation of the continuing practice of shooting by persons from their moored boats on the Demerara River.
This newspaper was unable to reach Crime Chief Leslie James for an update on the investigation by the OPR.
