SWAT officer found guilty of manslaughter

A 12-member jury at the High Court in Essequibo today returned a unanimous guilty verdict in the manslaughter trial of Constable Sherwin Peters, a member of the Guyana Police Force’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit. Peters was charged with the fatal shooting of Dartmouth businessman Orin Boston during a controversial anti-crime operation in September 2021.

The trial, which commenced on June 17, 2025, was heard before Justice Sandil Kissoon and prosecuted by State Counsel Latifah Elliot. Peters, 34, who chose to represent himself, offered no defence during the proceedings. He has been remanded to prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10, 2025.

The prosecution presented approximately 25 witnesses over the course of the trial. One of the most compelling testimonies came from Constable Adrian Moore, now with the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), who recounted the events leading up to Boston’s death.

Moore told the court that on September 14, 2021, about ten SWAT officers, including Peters, received orders from Assistant Superintendent of Police Gordon to conduct raids on the Essequibo Coast. The team, fully armed and instructed to remain “battle prepped,” stayed overnight at the Guyana Police Force Training School in Suddie.

Around 4:00 am the following morning, the officers conducted a raid at Boston’s property in Dartmouth. The compound housed two buildings. Moore, part of the Alpha team alongside Peters, described breaching the doors and entering the first house where nothing was found. They then moved to the second building.

Inside, Moore and another officer encountered two children and instructed them to leave the room. Moments later, Moore said he heard a loud explosion. He rushed to another room and found Boston slumped over a bed, bleeding from the shoulder. Peters, along with two other officers, was in the room and appeared to be assisting the wounded man.

Boston was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Moore emphasised that no further harm was done to Boston during his transport and that Peters was among those who attempted to help him.

Initial police reports claimed there was a “confrontation” between Boston and the officers during the operation. However, that account was publicly disputed by Boston’s wife, and no weapons or illegal items were recovered during the search.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution sought to demonstrate that Peters used lethal force in a manner that was neither justified nor in keeping with the rules of engagement, which allowed firing only in situations of imminent threat.

The jury deliberated after Justice Kissoon summed up the evidence earlier today and swiftly returned a unanimous verdict of guilty for manslaughter. Peters, who had been released on $1 million bail during the pre-trial phase, was immediately remanded to prison following the verdict.

The upcoming sentencing on July 10 is expected to be closely watched by both the public and human rights advocates.

Orin Boston