At a news conference yesterday at the Eve Leary headquarters of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), he described the shooting as most "unfortunate" and said the Force is always regretful when death occurs in engagements with its ranks.

He expressed condolences to the mother of Yohance Douglas, also known as Yohance Singh, 18, who was fatally shot.

Reports said he and four other young men were in a car after a game of basketball when a Police patrol fired on the vehicle at about 09:20 hrs.

McDonald said a high-level investigation team, including a Senior Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent and a Deputy Superintendent, has been appointed to conduct the probe into the shooting.

He said that in the meantime two ranks, who were members of the patrol when the shooting took place, have been removed from frontline operations and confined to desk work in order to facilitate the investigations.

He added that should it become necessary other Police ranks who were part of that patrol will also be removed from active duty.

The Commissioner indicated that every effort is being made to conduct the investigation in an expeditious manner without prejudicing it and ensuring the greatest objectivity.

McDonald said a preliminary report should be finished in another week.

"I wish to assure all concerned, the entire nation, that we will pursue this matter with a great deal of objectivity, and we will ensure that all factors or issues are taken into consideration before we conclude our report," he said.

He added that the investigation was necessary to determine the true circumstances involved in the incident.

"...also taking into consideration the explanations given by the Police ranks and the explanations provided by the occupants of the vehicle, where we have differing reports, we thought it best to call this press conference and also wish to use this opportunity to indicate to you what action we have taken and what action we will take to deal with this very unfortunate incident," the Commissioner explained.

According to initial Police reports, a mobile patrol at about 09:20 hrs Saturday in the vicinity of the `Tennessee' Night Spot observed five persons in a motorcar proceeding in the opposite direction on Sheriff Street.

Police said that in an attempt to intercept the car at Sheriff and Duncan streets, Douglas was fatally shot, while the driver of the car 19-year-old Ralph Grey received serious injuries and is hospitalised. O'Neil King, the son of a Police Officer, received injuries to his hand.

One of the other two young men in the vehicle is the son of a retired Police Inspector, McDonald said.

He categorically rejected assertions that the GFP is profiling persons of African descent, stating that profiling by the Police is not limited to any particular ethnic group and that this practice is not encouraged within the Police Force.

He could not say why the young men in the car could have aroused suspicion by the patrol, but emphasised that he is certain that this will be one of the major questions to be answered during the investigation.

In relation to compensation to the relatives of the deceased should the investigation reveal that the Police acted unlawfully and wrongfully, the Commissioner said he cannot pronounce on that issue because such matters are dealt through approved procedures by the Chambers of the Attorney General.

McDonald also reiterated that whenever persons are intercepted by the Police, whether they are uniformed or plainclothes ranks, they must properly identify themselves.

He also indicated that he will be meeting today with the relatives of the victims of the incident to express his regrets and to give them an opportunity to air their views.

In a press release, the Commissioner assured that after the "comprehensive investigation" into the matter, the file will be sent to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, then to the Director of Public Prosecutions "after which action will be taken in accordance with the advice forthcoming".

Police said those who could assist with the investigation should report to the Commissioner's Office on any working day and they would be put on to the investigators to submit statements.

...church group writes President on killing
THE members of the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church Community of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, has written an `open letter' to President Bharrat Jagdeo expressing deep concern surrounding the death of 18-year old Yohance Douglas on Saturday in a shooting incident involving members of the Guyana Police Force.

According to the letter released to the press, Douglas was an active member of the Altar servers as well as of the Holy Spirit Youth Group and a second year student of the Faculty of Technology of the University of Guyana.

It said his mother Ms. Haslyn Douglas is also an active member of the church community and member of the Ladies of Charity, which assists the poor and needy in the North and South Ruimveldt communities.

"Our Holy Spirit community unanimously appeals to you to take the most urgent legal action against the perpetrators of this inhuman crime as well as others who have been involved in similar crimes, and to take strong preventative action to immediately weed out all members of the Police Force with a propensity for crimes of violence against innocent persons in our society", the group said