The case file in relation to the death of robbery accused Peter Headley, who was shot by a policeman four months ago, will “soon” be forwarded for legal advice, Commissioner of Police (ag) Nigel Hoppie said on Wednesday.
Asked by Stabroek News for an update on the shooting during a press conference on Wednesday, Hoppie said that he recently contacted Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), retired Justice William Ramlal who indicated to him that the file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) Chambers shortly for legal advice.
Over the past few months the police have been silent on the investigation even though they had promised to release the findings once the probe was completed.
In July, Hoppie had told the media that the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) had completed the investigation into Headley’s death and the report was being reviewed by the PCA.
“The OPR (Office of Professional Responsibility) that was tasked with initiating the investigation would have completed their work and made submission to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority who is designated to review the work and as we speak he is currently reviewing it,” Hoppie had disclosed.
Headley, 45, of Dowding Street, Kitty was shot and killed on May 16 while he was being transported to the Providence Station. An autopsy later showed that he died as a result of a perforation of the lung due to a gunshot injury.
Two police officers, including the alleged shooter, were initially placed under close arrest. Hoppie said the ranks are presently on open arrest as the probe continues.
At the time, Headley was seated in the front passenger seat of a civilian car, which was being driven by a policeman. A rank was sitting in the back passenger seat. The police had said that preliminary investigations revealed that the lawmen were acting on a tip-off about an armed robbery that was committed at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on May 11, 2021.
The vehicle with Headley and Rondel Daly, the man who was arrested with Headley, was intercepted at approximately 8.45 PM at Nandy Park, EBD.
During a search of the vehicle, a television set that is suspected to have been stolen during the May 11 armed robbery was found, prompting police to arrest Headley and the other passenger.
Headley was placed in the front passenger seat of the civilian vehicle, which was being driven by a police rank, with an armed police rank in the back seat, while the other suspect was placed in the police vehicle with the other ranks, police said.
On their way to the station, the police said that Headley reached under the seat of the vehicle and pulled out what appeared to be a firearm, causing the armed rank to discharge a round which struck him in his body.
Headley, a father of two, was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he succumbed while receiving medical treatment. About two weeks after, Hoppie had ordered that the investigation into the shooting be “swiftly” concluded and the results made public.
Headley’s relatives have held a number of protests in their quest for justice.
