A businessman of Dartmouth, Region Two was fatally shot by the police early this morning in his home, triggering protests by residents of the community.
The deceased is twenty-nine-year-old Orin Boston of Hoppie Street. His widow, Feona Boston told reporters that the police kicked down their back door, went into their bedroom and shot the businessman.
The police this morning said that there was a “confrontation” between Boston and the law enforcers resulting in him being shot in his upper left arm. The police say that Boston was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The rank who shot Boston was said to be attached to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The police made no mention of this in their press release.
Feona Boston said the incident occurred around 5:00 am today. She is maintaining that the ranks shot her husband in his sleep.
“My husband had showered and retired to bed. He did not even have on clothes when they went into the room kicked down the door and pointed the gun towards him, they shot his right arm, all I heard is a loud gunshot sound,” the wife said.
She said that ranks were all over the house with guns and her two children, ages 6 and 7, witnessed the entire ordeal.
“Everything just happened fast, I just see the men just come in just searching for things, no alert nothing, they ran out to my husband and just shot him. Right now I confused”. the wife said.
She added that immediately after shooting her husband, the police took him outside where they applied first aid on him.
“My husband was already lying helpless on the ground, he did die, his feet were cold, them deh shouting for the ranks to bring the black bag, my husband did not do anything wrong we got we business and we …sell alcohol beverages,” the wife said.
The police in their statement today said that they were conducting an anti-crime operation in the Police Regional Division 2 at around 4.40 am during which they went to the home of Boston to conduct a search.
During the search, the police say that there was a “confrontation” between Boston and the police resulting in him being shot in his upper left arm. The police said that Boston was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Commissioner of Police (ag.) Nigel Hoppie has instructed that ranks from the Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) commence, immediately, a thorough investigation into this matter.
Police fatal shootings also have to be investigated by the Police Complaints Authority.
Following the incident, the police said that residents of the Essequibo Coast community began burning tyres and other debris on the main roadway at Dartmouth which has blocked the road and obstructed the free flow of traffic.
The police said that ranks on the ground are making strenuous efforts to clear the roadway and maintain control of the situation. The Guyana Police Force is calling on citizens to desist from this unlawful activity and allow for due process to take its course.
Terrified
Meanwhile, the sister of the deceased said she was terrified when the lawmen kicked her door down. She said that she was awakened by the loud sound. She said that they asked for her brother and she told them that he was living at another house.
“When I told them that they ran out. They rushed over (to the brother’s house) and then I heard a loud gunshot. Ow them kill meh brother, we didn’t even get to assist. When he reach hospital he dead”, the sister related. The sister said that the lawmen told her that she could not use her phone for recording or making contact with anyone.
Incensed residents of Dartmouth later came out in their numbers and barred persons from entering the village. Old tyres, old cars and other items were burnt in protest. They shouted slogans such as “black lives matters” and “police killing people”. The residents told the media that they were very angry at the way Boston was killed and they want justice. They said they will protest until they are given satisfaction.
The main public road leading to the Charity and Anna Regina area was blocked preventing workers from going to work. Many businessmen who were going to Charity had to turn back as residents made their anger clear. Fire-fighters and policemen were also prevented from entering the village.
Commander for the Division Denise Griffith went to meet with family members and offered her sympathy on behalf of the force.
Stabroek News was informed that the SWAT Unit visited the Region on Tuesday night after intelligence was provided to the police about a number of illegalities that are taking place in various parts of the region. Boston’s premises was among the first targeted by the lawmen.
The opposition PNCR issued the following statement this afternoon
The People’s National Congress Reform expresses concern with the manner in which an early morning operation, conducted by the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (SWAT), resulted in the loss of life of a 29 year old businessman, Orin Boston of Dartmouth Village, Essequibo. While an official release from the Guyana Police Force suggests that Mr. Boston’s demise came as a result of a confrontation between himself and a rank of the SWAT unit, reports emanating from the ground serve to contradict the direct account given by the Guyana Police Force.
While we await the outcome of the investigation into Mr. Boston’s demise, as a nation we must not be quick to make assumptions nor cast judgement. However, experience has reminded us of the many sons who were forcibly taken from the hands of their mothers, fathers from their children, husbands abducted from their beds as they slept, families ripped apart and communities sent into mourning, by the actions of the Guyana Police Force under the last PPP’s administration. Our nation is still scarred from the actions of the Target Special Squad who gunned down, on April 6, 2002, Shaka Blair, a 32 year old East Coast Demerara businessman.
The PNCR calls on the Guyana Police Force and Government of Guyana to employ all necessary resources to ensure that this matter is treated with expedience and professionalism. A thorough investigation into the circumstances which led to Mr. Boston’s demise must be done and wherever there were breaches in the standard operational procedures of the Force, those responsible must face the law and the consequences.
The People’s National Congress Reform is deeply concerned that this killing does not languish in similar manner as the murder of the ‘Henry’ boys, and urge the Government of Guyana to discharge its duties to the people of Guyana by having both matters expeditiously and professionally completed.
