RSS gets down to work on Linden fatal shootings

Investigators from the Regional Security System (RSS) today visited the mining town of Linden to continue investigations into the fatal shootings of Ronaldo Peters and Keon Fogenay, allegedly by ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) last week.

The team, which comprises two officers from Barbados and one from St. Lucia, met with members of the Guyana Police Force Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), Linden officials, and family members of both men at the Watooka Complex.

According to information from the GPF, the team subsequently revisited the scenes where the men were killed.

Speaking at the meeting, Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon said he was summoned at the request of the deceased men’s families.

Also present at the meeting were Member of Parliament (MP) Amanza Walton-Desir and Linden Councillor Kwesi Parkes.

Solomon noted that during the meeting, the RSS team outlined the nature of their mission, confirming that they had received their Terms of Reference from the Commissioner of Police.

“They also indicated that their next steps include processing the crime scenes and collecting witness statements relevant to the investigation,” Solomon said.

He added that the team also requested an opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with the families of the deceased men.

In response, the families agreed to reconvene tomorrow, with legal counsel present for further discussion.

“They’re going to return tomorrow. They’ve outlined a couple of things to us, and will return to provide a further update to the families and take some statements. They also indicated that they’re going to revisit the crime scene and once again expressed concerns regarding the Terms of Reference, which they confirmed they have. We’ve made a request for that,” Solomon noted.

He added that in meeting with both families, arrangements for the burials were also discussed.

“We will remain very engaged with this matter, so the families know that the community is here to support them and to ensure the community is kept informed about the type of justice the families are receiving – to ensure that these two young men receive that sort of justice,” Solomon stated.