BREAKING: President to meet with Linden leaders and relatives of youth killed by Police

President Dr Irfaan Ali will meet with Linden leaders and relatives of the young man who was shot and killed by a Police sergeant on Monday as he again assured that there will be a full and independent investigation that will be supported by the Caribbean’s Regional Security System (RSS).

The President said that police officers involved in death of 21-year-old Ronaldo Peters have been arrested, promising a full independent investigation into events that have sparked community unrest.

“Every circumstance will be examined in a full, open manner with external support,” President Ali stated.

The president said he had been briefed on the situation by the police commissioner and pledged transparency, stating he would meet directly with family members and community leaders to address their concerns.

“I appeal to residents to bring calm and let this independent investigation be completed,” Ali said, adding that any actions recommended by the investigation would be “pursued to the fullest.”

The protest over the police killing of Peters has escalated in the mining town, with reports of gunfire and a protestor and a Policeman being shot and the Wismar/McKenzie Bridge blocked.

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

Images and videos posted on social media shows debris burning on the bridge. The Bridge is a major link to some of Guyana’s interior regions like the Rupununi and Mahdia.

Reports also indicate that new four-lane bridge under construction was also lit on fire. Several roads in the community of One Mile, Wismar have also being blocked by protesters.

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.
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 otherwise.

It was claimed that Peters started to run and attempted to jump a fence. It is further alleged by the Sergeant that he managed to pull off Peters from the fence and in the process of subduing him, when his weapon went off and struck Peters to his abdomen.