‘A tragedy’- Attorney General says ‘arm’s length’ investigation will be carried out into Linden Police shootings

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandall Tuesday night said that an “arm’s length, independent and impartial” investigation will be conducted into the Police fatal shootings of Lindeners, Ronaldo Peters and Keon Fogenay, also known as ‘Dan’.

“What will be carried out is an arm’s length, independent and impartial investigation.

“There will be an independent investigation into the shootings and coming out of that, lawful and appropriate actions will be taken,” Nandall said while addressing the incidents during his weekly ‘Issues in the News’ programme which was broadcast Live on Facebook.

The shooting of Peters by a Police Sergeant which took place on Monday afternoon in One Mile, Linden prompted protests across the mining town throughout Tuesday.

And the situation worsened when Fogenay was fatally wounded by Police during the protests.

To address the situation, Nandlall has joined President Dr Irfaan Ali to appeal for peace and calm.

“Acting with anger won’t bring any change to the situation.

“Two wrongs do not equal a right. Damaging public property or private property, assaulting the Police officers, behaving in an unruly and unlawful manner, will not improve the situation. It will not change anything that has happened. For that matter, it may worsen and aggravate the situation further. So the appeal is to stay calm, be peaceful, be obedient to the laws,” Nandall said.

The Attorney General said authorities are asking that the investigative processes be facilitated.

“And wherever the chips fall so be it. Our government has never been accused of covering up these kinds of incidents….we do not subscribe to violence of any kind,” Nandall said.

Noting that the matter should not be taken “lightly” Nandlall said: “It’s a tragedy, it should have never happened, but it has happened, and we have to do damage control from all angles,” he noted.

Peters, 21, was shot and killed by a Police Sergeant around 17:30hrs on Monday in Linden.

Police, acting on information received went to Shabba bar in One Mile, Linden in search for Peters, who they said was wanted for rape.

The shooting was captured on CCTV footage which shows that Peters was standing by the roadside in the company of a group of men, who were sitting. A heavily-tinted minibus then approached and men in white t-shirt and black pants emerged. Peters is seen fleeing from the scene and the policemen from the minibus chased after him. Seconds later, a policeman is seen dragging Peters by the neck and taking him to the vehicle.

Police Headquarters claimed that Peters was wanted for a rape that occurred sometime between 1st December 2024 and 31st January 2025. Peter’s aunt whom he lived with, identified as Mary Benjamin, confirmed that the Police had contacted her seeking Peter’s whereabouts for questioning, but she didn’t turn him in to the Police and neither did he surrender to Police.

The ranks went to the location armed with service weapons. Police headquarters claimed the ranks “were fully dressed in uniform,” but the CCTV footage shows they were not.

Meanwhile, Fogenay, was killed when protests erupted in the town on Tuesday.

He was a father of four, according to his relatives.

Police Headquarters stated that rounds discharged at the protesters caused the demise of the man.