Coalition condemns execution of Golden Grove youth

The APNU+AFC Coalition has condemned the execution of Quindon Bacchus by members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

“It is a case of murder and should be investigated as a crime. The Commissioner of Police’s reassurance that it will be properly investigated must be taken with a pinch of salt,” the Colaition said in a statement on Tuesday. According to the opposition, the same pronouncement was made when Isaiah Henry, Joel Henry and Haresh Singh were murdered. “When Orin Boston was executed by ranks of the Guyana Police Force the same pronouncement was made by the Guyana Police Force. To date, we are nowhere close to justice for any one of them.”

The opposition said what is even more worrying is that the GPF is not treating the matter as a crime since it is being investigated by the Police Complaints Authority. “There must be a criminal investigation into this matter and the perpetrators of this crime must face the full force of the law. The GPF and the Government of Guyana must recognize that they are complicit in these crimes when they protect rogue policemen because this signals that they can commit these heinous crimes and not face the full force of the law. It is even worse if they are not rogue cops but are carrying out the instructions of their superiors. The rule of law is being further eroded in Guyana.”

On Monday Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken visited relatives of Bacchus and promised them that an “impartial investigation” will be conducted into his killing. Hicken told family members at their Golden Grove, East Coast of Demerara (ECD) residence that the incident will be thoroughly investigated by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and that the Police Force will not interfere. He said that he could not interfere with the investigation but will reach out to the PCA and ask if they can expedite the investigation.
Police had reported on Friday that its rank had shot 23-year-old Bacchus around 14:30hrs at Haslington, ECD during a sting operation. It was alleged that ranks had learned that Bacchus had an illegal gun to sell. Arrangements were made for an undercover cop to purchase the gun from him. The undercover cop allegedly showed up to do business but while Bacchus was allegedly handing over the weapon, someone reportedly blew his cover. Police alleged that after Bacchus realised that he was caught in a sting operation, he shot at the cop. The policeman reportedly returned fire and Bacchus ran away and jumped into a yard where he shot at the rank again.

The policeman alleged that he took cover and fired back again and this time, Bacchus was struck to his body and he fell to the ground. An injured Bacchus was picked up and rushed to a hospital where he died while receiving treatment. However, video footage which has been shared widely on social media has contradicted the police version of the incident. The video footage showed Bacchus running away from the policeman. There was no evidence of him shooting at the policeman as being alleged. According to reports, Bacchus was shot six times. A post mortem conducted on his body on Monday revealed that he died of multiple gunshot wounds. His body has since been handed over for burial. The police officer involve in the shooting, the Top Cop revealed yesterday is still presently under close arrest pending the completion of the investigation.