A Rasville youth is currently hospitalised after he was allegedly beaten by the police on Friday evening.
As a result, the family of Shamar Tanner, a 19-year-old John Fernandes Limited labourer, is calling for justice.
Tanner, who sustained severe injuries to his face and lost several teeth, is admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where his condition is listed as critical. He also sustained a fractured jaw and was unable to speak properly up to yesterday.
Sunday Stabroek was told by a police source yesterday that an investigation has since been launched into the circumstances that led to Tanner’s hospitalisation.
The inciting incident reportedly occurred around 7 pm on Friday at America Street, in Georgetown, according to what Michelle Nieuenkerk, the teen’s aunt, was told.
Nieuenkerk said Tanner was standing at the corner of America Street, where he was about to light “a joint” and he noticed the police approaching.
As a result, Nieuenkerk said, Tanner ran and was allegedly chased by the ranks, who severely beat him to his face with a gun while asking for the cigarette.
Tanner was subsequently left on the roadway and was he picked up and taken to the hospital by public-spirited citizens.
Nieuenkerk said that the police have been denying the allegation that they were responsible for her nephew’s injuries.
“They [the police] are trying to say that he fell but you could never fall and you jaw teeth, and you front teeth, come out. So that story that they are telling us is not truth. It’s a lie and my nephew is not a thief. He is not a thief… and I would go to the end,” she said, while stating that the family is seeking justice.
Nieuenkerk called on authorities to intervene to ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out.
“I need the commander, the commissioner, the President of Guyana, to step in to see what the Guyana Police Force is doing to people young children. I woulda feel please to know that my nephew was incarcerated for this joint. You know, we would have dealt with it but don’t beat him so merciless,” she said, before adding that the case could have been dealt with professionally.
Nieuenkerk further explained that the police were not aware of the incident, until yesterday morning, when a relative of Tanner who is a Presidential Guard, intervened.
