Region 10 Council Calls for Justice and Restraint After Fatal Police Shooting

 The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 has issued a strong statement expressing solidarity with the family and friends of Ronaldo Peters, who was tragically shot and killed by police on Monday, April 7, 2025. The RDC is calling for clear answers and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, which has sparked widespread unrest in the community.

The RDC acknowledged the deep pain and grief felt by those affected by the shooting, urging for an immediate and transparent investigation.

“We recognise the deep pain and grief created by this shooting and extend our sincere sympathy to Ronaldo’s family and friends,” the statement read. “We echo the calls for an immediate and transparent investigation into the circumstances under which this young life was ended.”

The council expressed concern over the rising tension in the community, noting that additional shootings have occurred in the aftermath of residents’ actions to seek justice. It urged restraint, stressing the importance of de-escalating the current unrest to prevent further loss of life. “A de-escalation of the current unrest is desirable to ensure that we do not experience further loss of life,” the statement continued.

In light of the unfolding events, which have seen clashes between residents and security forces, the RDC advised that schools in the region be dismissed early to ensure the safe transit of children. The statement also called for the ferry services to prioritise the transportation of children and the elderly during this difficult time. Additionally, the council emphasised the need to maintain access to essential services, including healthcare and public facilities.

“We appeal to residents to use all peaceful and lawful means to advocate to ensure that situations like this never happen again,” the RDC urged. The statement highlighted the long history of unity among Lindeners, who have consistently come together across ethnic and religious lines to seek justice and peace.

As the community continues to grapple with the tragedy, the RDC committed to working with local leaders and keeping residents informed of progress in the investigation and efforts to resolve the situation.

“We will coordinate with our fellow local leaders and continue to keep residents informed of progress to resolve this matter,” the statement concluded, reinforcing the council’s determination to ensure justice is served.

The full statement follows:-

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

The Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 stands firmly with the relatives and friends of Ronaldo Peters who was shot by police last evening, as they seek clear answers and a thorough investigation in the face of contradicting accounts and visuals of the incident. We recognize the deep pain and grief created by this shooting and extend our sincere sympathy to Ronaldo’s family and friends, as we echo the calls for an immediate and transparent investigation of the circumstances under which this young life was ended.

In the face of the evident frustration of our residents, restraint is urged so that we can move through these trying times and achieve the result we all seek, justice. A de-escalation of the current unrest is desirable to ensure that we do not experience further loss of life, as we are informed of additional shootings in the aftermath of residents’ actions to seek an appropriate response to yesterday’s shooting.

The Council has advised that schools be dismissed early to allow for the safe transit of our children to their homes, especially given the events unfolding at the Wismar Mackenzie Bridge, which have claimed the lives of another Linden resident, and seen injuries meted out to residents and security forces alike. We call on the ferry services to commit to facilitate the transit of our children and the elderly as we navigate this difficult period. It is also important that we maintain access to our health care and other important public facilities.

As we resolve to utilize our various offices to ensure that justice is not only served, but is seen to be served, we appeal to residents to use all peaceful and lawful means to advocate to ensure that situations like this never happen again. Lindeners have always united across ethnic, religious and any other seeming division, and we are confident that we will again do so to secure justice without further loss of life or damage to property.

We will coordinate with our fellow local leaders and continue to keep residents informed of progress to resolve this matter.