Investigators probing the fatal shooting of fisherman, Kishan Budburgh and Police Corporal Dwayne McPherson had been asked to address “some points” in the investigation and the file was yesterday re-sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further legal advice.
“The file was returned from the DPP for some points to be addressed by the investigators at OPR (Office of Professional Responsibility). That was done and the file will be forwarded today (yesterday) for further legal advice,” Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum told Stabroek News when asked for an update on the investigation.
Budburgh and McPherson were fatally shot around 00:30hrs on January 1 during a police operation at Huntley, Mahaicony.
Autopsies later showed that Budburgh was shot three times while McPherson sustained two gunshot wounds.
As the investigation continues, the two police officers said to be involved in the shootings have been placed on open arrest.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that McPherson and two other ranks attached to the Mahai-cony 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 times. McPherson was shot first.
In an interview with Stabroek News, Budburgh’s mother, Beverly Dundas had 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 had 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.
Whilst 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 at which point the confrontation unfolded.
The incident has raised serious questions about the manner in which the police carried out the operation.
In a letter to Stabroek News, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe had said the matter calls for a “thorough” investigation beyond OPR and should examine a number of aspects including training, retraining and qualification of ranks.
“This tragic incident cries out for a Board of Inquiry or some similar body to be commissioned to conduct a comprehensive review of what transpired,” Slowe had said.
