In a release, the Force said because of the nature of the investigation and the need to be thorough, the investigators indicated their inability to complete the report by yesterday.

“The earliest date that the full investigation with a typed report can be submitted is Tuesday, after which legal advice will have to sought,” the Force said.

And, in a statement later yesterday, Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj said that in the light of the request for additional time by the investigative team, “I wish to crave the indulgence of the family, relatives and friends of Yohance Douglas and indeed, the general public as I extend the investigation time by 48 hours in the interest of justice.

To date, the Force said it has collected more than 30 statements and it has reached the stage where it is “clearing up a number of issues pertinent to the investigation, including forensic examination.”

It added, “We are at pains to stress that the investigation is being properly and professionally done in spite of the murmurings of some ill-advised persons. We are confident that the product emanating at the end of this investigation will withstand any scrutiny.”

Douglas, 18, and four friends, who had just finished playing basketball, were in a car travelling along Sheriff Street at about 09:30 hrs. last week Saturday, when Police opened fire on them.

The architecture student was shot dead, while his colleagues, Ronson Grey was shot in the jaw, and O’Neil King was shot in the hand.

The others in the car were Randolph Goodluck and Quacy Heywood.

Douglas will be buried tomorrow at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

Police Commissioner Floyd McDonald, at a press conference last week Sunday, assured that a thorough investigation of the incident was under way by a high-level team, including a Senior Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent and a Deputy Superintendent.

He had said a preliminary report should have been finished in a week.

President Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday told reporters he would be “following up” the issue to ensure that the process of investigation is transparent and public and that whatever action is necessary is taken.

Chief Justice Carl Singh late Wednesday granted an injunction filed by Grey restraining two officers involved in the incident from leaving the country.

Grey has since filed a second action seeking $50M damages from the alleged shooters.

The shooting triggered protests all week by the University of Guyana Students Society, which has since been joined by the University of Guyana Workers Union and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association.

There has also been widespread condemnation by several sections of society and the United Nations on Friday urged the Government to undertake prompt and independent investigations of the Force in conformity with national and international standards “in order to ensure the perpetrators of human rights violation are held accountable.”

Yesterday, the Opposition People’s National Congress Reform released to the media a letter its leader, Mr. Robert Corbin wrote to President Bharrat Jagdeo on the shooting incident.

In his letter, Corbin said he believes it would be in the State’s best interest to ensure a wholly independent body conducts any inquiry, which should include participation of reputable, national and international human rights organisations.

Corbin, in his letter to the President, said that the fact that the Guyana Bar Association obtained an Order from the High Court to prevent two policemen, allegedly involved in the incident and since confined to desk duty, from leaving the country is evidence of the lack of confidence in the Guyana Police Force.

“For these and other reasons, it should be obvious that no report from an internal enquiry by the…Police…will be either acceptable or credible.

“The PNC/R has already publicly stated its lack of confidence in any report from the Police and I believe that many other interested parties have expressed this sentiment.”

He noted that “many answers are required” and hoped that they be “provided to the people of Guyana.”

Corbin noted, “the need for quick and decisive action that will meet with approval of all citizens is more important and you can be rest assured of my support in those regards.”

He pointed to disturbing features of the incident, with reports that some of the persons involved were not policemen but members of the notorious ‘Phantom Force’.

Corbin said the release of the identities of all the alleged policemen involved in the incident will go a far way in removing suspicion and clarifying the situation.

The young victims, he noted, “represent the best of young Guyanese manhood, University students and athletes, with healthy and wholesome attitudes to life” and “the shameful attempt by the Police to label them criminals is a gross insult to all of Guyana”.

Pointing to the several organisations that have repeatedly brought to the President’s attention the heinous crimes carried out unabated by rogue elements in the Police Force, Corbin said the issue of extra-judicial killings has been “a matter of public outrage by Guyanese at home and abroad.”

“No public policy purpose can be served by this madness. In fact, the justice system has been brought into disrepute. Respectable and honourable members of the Guyana Police Force have been demoralised and public confidence in this organisation has been totally destroyed.

“In these circumstances, you may now consider it appropriate to appoint the long recommended Commission of Enquiry into the operations of the Guyana Police Force,” Corbin said

THE Guyana Police Force yesterday advised that it was unable to complete a promised report on the fatal shooting by cops of University of Guyana student, Yohance Douglas, and the wounding of two of his friends last week Saturday.

The store affected the most belonged to Hazrat Ally. He had 43 employees.

According to Ally, there are no plans for re-employment as the future seems uncertain.

Arjune Chand of Trans Photo Studio and Computer Centre had 14 employees and was optimistic about the business’s future.

Meanwhile, Satesh Budhan of J&N Supermarket, where the blaze begun, had eight persons under his management and assured his staff that they will be re-employed shortly.