Guyana is once again grappling with the devastating loss of a young life at the hands of law enforcement. On Monday, April 7, 2025, 23-year-old Ronaldo Peters was shot and killed by police under circumstances that have sparked widespread public outrage.
Early reports suggest that Peters, who was unarmed, posed no threat to officers at the time of his death, raising serious questions about the use of lethal force in this tragic incident. The police officer involved has reportedly been placed under close arrest but questions lingers and whether this would be another unsolved state murder.
Peters’ death marks yet another chapter in a disturbing pattern of police violence in Guyana. It echoes previous incidents of fatal police shootings that have left the nation reeling in grief and anger.
On July 18, 2012, three individuals—Ron Somerset (18), Shemroy Bouyea (24), and Allan Lewis (46)—were killed by police gunfire during peaceful protests in Linden. A subsequent Commission of Inquiry found the police responsible for those deaths, yet accountability remains elusive.
In June 2022, 23-year-old Quindon Bacchus was fatally shot in Haslington during a controversial police operation that sparked national protests. The outrage was reignited on March 22, 2023, when 33-year-old Randy Ronald Jerome was killed by police in Wisroc, Linden, while Ronaldo Chapman (23) was wounded in the same incident.
These tragic deaths, compounded by the most recent loss of Peters, paint a troubling picture of a law enforcement culture that appears increasingly detached from the value of human life.
As news of Peters’ killing spreads, a chorus of condemnation from Linden and beyond has grown louder. Citizens are demanding transparent, independent investigations into these police actions and a stop to the cycle of impunity that has followed past tragedies.
“These killings must end now,” said one local resident. “We are not just numbers; we are human beings with families and futures. Our loved ones are not expendable, and we will not sit idly by while this continues.”
The deaths of young men like Ronaldo Peters are not just statistics—they represent sons, brothers, friends, and promising futures that have been stolen. The repeated failure of law enforcement agencies to be held accountable for such actions only deepens the wound within communities that have already suffered too much.
The Alliance for Change (AFC) has issued a strong statement condemning the killing of Peters. In their release, the party emphasised that the repeated incidents of police violence in Guyana are deeply troubling and undermine public trust in law enforcement. The AFC called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Peters’ death and demanded that those responsible for his killing be held fully accountable under the law.
“These repeated acts of lethal force raise deep concerns about the culture within our law enforcement agencies. As Lindeners, as citizens, and as human beings, we are outraged. We demand transparent, independent investigations, and we call for an end to the impunity that follows these tragedies. The lives lost are not statistics; they are sons, brothers, friends, and futures stolen. Linden and the rest of Guyana will not stand idly by, these killings end now!!!! We demand justice !!!!! ” the statement read.
Extra judicial killings in Guyana are rampant as citizens often question when will those responsible be held accountable, and when will the culture of impunity end?
Presently the community of Linden is protesting seeking justice for another fallen citizen at the hands of police brutality. Guyanese are fed-up as the calls for justice continue to grow. People are demanding an end to police brutality and a future where their lives are not at risk from those entrusted with their protection.
See the AFC’s statement below
JUSTICE FOR RONALDO PETERS!!!!
In recent years, there have been multiple incidents in Guyana where police actions have resulted in the tragic deaths of young people. On July 18, 2012, during peaceful protests in Linden, three lives were lost: Ron Somerset (18), Shemroy Bouyea (24), and Allan Lewis (46) when police opened fire on unarmed demonstrators. A Commission of Inquiry found the police responsible.
On June 10, 2022, Quindon Bacchus (23) was fatally shot in Haslington during a controversial police operation, sparking national outrage and widespread protests. Just a year later, on March 22, 2023, Randy Ronald Jerome (33) was killed by police in Wisroc, Linden, and Ronaldo Chapman (23) was wounded.
Now, on Monday, April 7, 2025, we are once again plunged into mourning. Ronaldo Peters (23) was shot and killed by police under circumstances that reports suggest involved no threat, he was unarmed.
These repeated acts of lethal force raise deep concerns about the culture within our law enforcement agencies. As Lindeners, as citizens, and as human beings, we are outraged. We demand transparent, independent investigations, and we call for an end to the impunity that follows these tragedies. The lives lost are not statistics; they are sons, brothers, friends, and futures stolen. Linden and the rest of Guyana will not stand idly by, these killings end now!!!! We demand justice !!!!!
