Another Lindener shot dead, Police Officers injured during fiery protest over Police killing in Linden

Another Lindener shot dead, Police Officers injured during fiery protest over Police killing in Linden

A cloud of uneasiness has enveloped the bauxite town of Linden as residents continue their calls for justice over the Police shooting death of 21-year-old Ronaldo Peters yesterday, and today’s shooting death of another Lindener, Keon Fudgenay aka “Dan”, by the Police as protests continued against yesterday’s Police killing.

Lindeners on the Wismar shore gathered early this morning at the scene of yesterday’s shooting of the 21-year-old and started to block sections of the main roadway along One Mile, as they demanded justice.

Peters was with a group of friends on Monday afternoon when a black mini-bus pulled up and a man in plain clothes, and who was later identified as Police Sergeant Michael Kendall, emerged with gun in hand and chased after Peters.

The young father of one was shot within seconds and dragged out of the yard by his collar and dumped into the unmarked bus.

Eyewitnesses said the Policeman never identified himself and opened fire on an unarmed man who was fleeing. That Policeman, Sgt. Michael Kendall, has since been placed under close arrest and is being investigated.

Although a Police press statement last evening claimed that the Police ranks were in their uniform, a CCTV recording of the incident contradicted that statement. The Police also claimed that Peters was wanted to answer an allegation of rape that was reportedly filed against him.

(Sherod Duncan Photo)

The dead man’s family said they knew of no rape allegation. However, his aunt, Mary Benjamin, explained that she received a call over a month ago from a Police Officer known to her asking about the nephew. She said the details of the complaint against him were never made known to her.

The woman said the Police requested that he visit the station, and she passed on the message to the nephew in the presence of his girlfriend.

The grieving aunt said she did not hear back from the Police and officers never visited her home.

She said she remains in shock over her nephew’s shooting death yesterday, making it clear that he did not deserve to die.

“As I have seen on the footage, they dragged my nephew as if he was a dog, like he is an animal. If he is a animal or a dog then the family must be also dogs because why they never come and even all now they never come. The Police make I drink my tears from last night and on to now, I am drinking my tears”, the aunt said.

Peters and his girlfriend lived at the aunt’s home with their young child.

The young man was working on a road construction project and left home yesterday morning to take his child to school then head off to work. He was hanging out with friends after work when he was chased down and shot dead by the Police.

Today, scores of Lindeners protested the young man’s killing while demanding justice.

The protest action intensified as old tyres and other debris were placed on the road and set ablaze.

Armed with protected shields and weapons, the Police attempted to move the crowd back, but that decision incensed the crowd and some persons started to pelt bricks and other items at the Police after the Police opened fire in their efforts to disperse the crowd.

The protesters stood their ground, while dodging rounds and pellets being fired by the Police.

One of the protesters, Keon Fudgenay aka “Dan”, was shot as the Police fired several rounds towards the crowd. He was taken to the Linden Hospital but was pronounced dead.

A number of police officers were injured and had to be rushed away from the scene as damage was also done to one of their vehicles.

Debris was placed on the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge and set on fire, bringing a halt to the movement of traffic. It was eventually cleared by the Police, but protesters remained close by.

This evening, there are calls for calm across the town. The Ministry of Home Affairs has offered its regrets and sympathy over the shooting deaths and has urged calm as investigations are set to begin.

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