The Guyana Police Force yesterday said that its Office of Professional Responsi-bility and the Police Complaints Authority are investigating the fatal shooting to death of two men by lawmen which occurred last Wednesday in Airy Hall, Mahaicony.
According to a police press release, last Wednesday’s incident resulted in the deaths of Roger Erwin Pierre, known as ‘Pants’, a labourer from Lot 11 Airy Hall Middle Walk, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara and Frederick Williams, also known as Terrence, 68, of Airy Hall, Mahaicony.
Relatives of both men said on Saturday that the post-mortem examinations confirmed that they died from multiple gunshot wounds. The families are demanding answers.
While the police issued a statement on the investigation, no mention was made on the findings of the autopsies.
According to reports, Williams had been trying to subdue Pierre, who had been attacking people, when the police opened fire on both. The incident raised concerns about excessive force and questions about why the situation was not de-escalated using non-lethal measures.
The post-mortem examinations, conducted on Friday morning in the presence of family members and police officials, revealed that both men succumbed to haemorrhaging caused by multiple gunshot injuries. Williams’ ex-wife and son confirmed the findings, while Pierre’s family reported that his injuries included extensive gunshot wounds to his torso and leg.
“We got the report around 10:30 am, and it confirmed what we feared – multiple gunshot wounds caused his death,” Williams’ ex-wife had told this newspaper while noting that the family was yet to receive any formal explanation from the police about the incident.
Pierre’s daughter said that he was shot all over his body, from his chest to his legs, adding, “It’s devastating to see how he was treated.” She also mentioned that police officers present during the post-mortem provided no justification for their actions.
