The Mahaicony fisherman who died following a confrontation with police on Sunday was shot three times and a cop who was also fatally wounded had two bullet wounds, according to autopsies conducted yesterday.
Serious questions will now arise as to the manner in which the police conducted the operation during which they attempted to arrest 20-year-old fisherman, Kishan Budburgh, of Huntley, Mahaicony. During the incident Police Corporal Dwayne McPherson was also fatally wounded.
Two cops are said to be under close arrest over the deaths and the police have promised a comprehensive investigation into the matter. In a statement yesterday, the police said that the autopsy revealed that Budburgh died due to shock and haemorrhage caused by gunshot wounds.
Government Pathologist Dr V. Brijmohan performed the autopsy at Bailey’s Funeral Home, #4 Village, West Coast Berbice on January 2nd.
Three entry wounds were seen – all to the left side, one 4 to 5 cm below the armpit, one further down the left side of the back, and the third, about 4 to 5 cm from the shoulder blade. The man’s body was then handed over to relatives for funeral arrangements.
McPherson’s autopsy – also performed by Dr Brijmohan – showed that he died from shock and haemorrhage. Two entry wounds were seen to the left of the deceased policeman’s neck, with no exit wounds. The body was subsequently handed over to relatives for funeral arrangements.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that McPherson and two other ranks attached to the Mahaicony Police Station were responding to a report of a stabbing involving Budburgh, his brothers and another male.
In their bid to arrest Budburgh, a scuffle reportedly ensued during which Budburgh was shot at least three time. McPherson was initially shot followed by Budburgh.
In an interview with Stabroek News on Monday night, Budburgh’s mother, Beverly Dundas said she is determined to secure justice. She said the manner in which her son was shot is unacceptable. “I really hurt. Me feel really hurt. I want something come out me son story cause me son can’t go down suh,”she said. Dundas explained that she and her husband left home for church on Saturday night. She said before she could have returned home, she received a call from Budburgh’s father, who she has been separated from and he told her that two of her five sons had been arrested by the police.
Dundas said at that time she was not sure what had transpired but she later learnt that Budburgh and his brothers were at a shop located a street away from their home when he and another male were involved in a fight.
She said one of Budburgh’s brothers who was present intervened and parted the fight after which they left for home.
Whist walking home, Dundas said she understands that two of her sons were picked up by the police. And upon noticing this, she said she was told that Budburgh took a different route and ran home and went to bed.
According to Dundas, her two other sons who were home with Budburgh told her that police subsequently showed up at their house. “….He (Budburgh) come in and he gone and lay down like fah go sleep. Then the police come back fah arrest he. Them knocking on the door and when my next son open the door, the police just run inside and start hit meh son (Kishan) with the gun. Box he up and so.
“How the sleep get he, he seh he want rest, he want sleep and them just drag he out,” Dundas said.
She said Budburgh resisted the police. “He (Budburgh) seh if yall come fah arrest me why you doing me like this then and they start haul he out, brace he on the wall……Then meh other son seh officer if yall come fah arrest we, arrest we and carry we in a peaceful way,” Dundas added.
“The police nah want hear dah suh meh son (Kishan) nah start fight back with the policeman (McPherson)?” she said.
During this, one of the other ranks who was present allegedly discharged several rounds. Dundas said based on what she was told McPherson was struck first and Budburgh tried to escape. “After them (police) shoot the policeman (McPherson) fuss, he nah fall. So when meh son (Kishan) try fah get up now them shot he tuh,” Dundas related.
Dundas further told Stabroek News that following the shooting, the ranks picked up McPherson and took him to the hospital and left the injured Budburgh behind. He remained there for about four hours and by the time Dundas was able to secure help he had passed away. McPherson was pronounced dead at the hospital.
