Four months have passed since Dartmouth businessman Orin Boston was fatally wounded during a police operation at his home and while a manslaughter charge was recently laid against the officer allegedly responsible, a number of questions remain unaddressed about the mission.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a press statement had provided its account of what transpired in the lead up to Boston’s death. This was, however, contradicted by Boston’s widow, Feona Boston who witnessed his killing.
However, what is still not known – at least to the public – are the details surrounding the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit’s operation on the morning of September 15, 2021, when he was killed.
Among the questions that linger are: was the SWAT unit on a properly authorized mission? If so, what was the purpose of the mission?
Following the fatal shooting, it is unclear what steps, if any, were taken to ensure that there is no recurrence, whether there was a review of the command and conduct of the SWAT team on the day in question and what were the findings. It is also unclear if Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been devised for the SWAT unit.
In a letter to the editor, which was published in January 19th, 2022 edition of Stabroek News, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Clinton Conway raised several other questions about the killing.
“Who authorised the SWAT team to travel to Essequibo? What was the purpose of the visit? Why was Boston targeted? Was the shooter careless or reckless? If so, was his action equal to cold-blooded murder?” he questioned.
He further asked if there was “any other criminal charge/s identified for any member of the SWAT team and if there were any breaches of the Police (Discipline) Act Chapter 17:01 and or the Police Standing Orders in the absence of a written Special Operations Procedure specifically created for the SWAT team?”
Efforts made by Stabroek News to have these questions addressed proved futile since calls to the phones of Commissioner of Police (ag) Nigel Hoppie and Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn went unanswered.
Boston, 29, of Hoppie Street, Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast, was killed on September 15, last year during what was said to be an anti-crime operation that was conducted by the SWAT unit.
In a statement, the police had said that ranks from the SWAT unit were conducting the operation at around 04.40 hrs during which they went to the home of Boston to undertake a search. During the search, the police said there was a “confrontation” between Boston and the police, resulting in him being shot.
Boston was rushed to the Suddie Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. An autopsy later revealed that Boston died as a result of haemorrhage and shock due to gunshot injuries to the chest.
Two Fridays ago, police constable Sherwin Peters was charged with manslaughter and granted $1 million bail.
Murder
Three days after the charge was laid, residents on the Essequibo Coast protested and lit fires on the main road as they contended that Peters should have been charged with murder and not manslaughter.
The protestors told the media that they want justice for Boston. They said that the SWAT member implicated should not have been granted bail. “We will not stop until the matter is called again and we get justice, we waited so long for this to happen and now this? We will not stop until,” a resident warned.
The road was subsequently cleared of the debris.
Boston’s widow, Feona, had told reporters that the police kicked down their back door, went into their bedroom and shot the businessman.
She said that ranks were all over the house with guns and her two children, ages 6 and 7, witnessed the entire ordeal.
Contacted following the court hearing for Peters, Feona had said that she was dissatisfied with the institution of the manslaughter charge as she believes that Peters should have been charged with murder.
“I don’t like how they charge he with manslaughter. My husband was murdered and they charge he with manslaughter. Duh ain’t right at all. I ain’t agree with duh. Duh is murder,” she said.
Boston’s family through their attorney, Nigel Hughes, had indicated their intention to file private criminal proceedings in the matter.
