With the one year anniversary approaching since Adrian Bishop was killed by a policeman under questionable circumstances, his mother feels that efforts have been made to “duck” the case, which was expected to be probed by a Coroner’s Inquest.
Adene Bishop says the silence by the police since her son’s death has left her uneasy as she is still seeking justice, although she does not know to whom she must turn to ensure she gets it.
September 20 will mark one year since the fatal shooting and to date Adene and the rest of her family are still in shock at how Bishop met his end.
To date, there are conflicting reports about how the shooting occurred. What is clear, however, is that Bishop was shot dead by a policeman.
Adene, who was unable to attend her son’s funeral because she was in an advanced stage of a pregnancy, told Stabroek News that she does not even know where her eldest child’s remains are buried.
“I can’t believe that he is in a grave. I feel sometimes that I am going mad,” she said.
Bishop was fatally shot after a physical confrontation with his girlfriend, a policewoman, led to the intervention of lawmen.
Police had said in a statement that ranks of a mobile police patrol responded to a report received from the policewoman that a suspect, who was wanted for armed robbery, had assaulted her.
“The police, accompanied by the (complainant), went to Hill Street, Albouystown, where the suspect Adrian Bishop of Garnett Street, Kitty, was pointed out to them. Adrian Bishop was informed of the allegation against him and was arrested and placed into the police vehicle,” the statement said.
It was stated that while being transported to the police station, Bishop attempted to relieve an armed policeman of his shotgun and during the ensuing struggle a round was discharged and struck him to his neck. Bishop was later pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Hospital.
Residents have since charged that the police force’s account of the shooting is inaccurate, while noting that Bishop had no weapon and did not put up any resistance. They say the policeman pointed the gun at the man and pulled the trigger.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) late last year recommended an inquest but Adene insists that she has never been officially informed of this. “I have heard nothing. Nobody never call me about the inquest. Since [Adrian] dead I ain’t get no call from the police,” she said.
She recalled that she was last in contact with police about the post-mortem examination. She said that while at the police station, a rank asked her a lot of questions, most of which she was unable to answer.
Adene said she does not believe the police’s version of the events that led to her son’s death. She said she cannot see her son attempting to grab a gun from the police. She had previously said the shooting occurred after the policewoman and Bishop had an argument.
Adene noted that she occasionally sees the policeman who had been identified as the rank who pulled the trigger. She said she is at a loss as to why he is still on the job. She added that she was also told the policewoman is also still on the job. She also said some of the ranks who were present at the time of the shooting would laugh whenever they see her.
“They should have taken the policeman off de job and charge him, even if it is manslaughter,” she stressed. “I know to myself police does back police. He (name given) did kill my son,” she added.
She called for the rank and his “accomplices,” including the policewoman, to be charged. “I want them charged and placed before the court. Let the court tell me that he did not kill my son,” she stressed.
“I am suspicious. Somebody working to put it under the table,” she further said. “I don’t know what to do. I am left at a standstill,” she added.
Adene said if she were a rich woman she would try to file private criminal charges. She said since she is a poor woman the law does not work in her favour.
“I don’t get strength to go nowhere or do nothing since Adrian dead,” she noted, while adding that she is holding Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan to his word that all unsolved murder cases will be reopened.
