Report ready Tuesday
-police
Stabroek News
March 9, 2003

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A police report into last week Saturday’s shooting death of 17-year-old Yohance Douglas will not be ready until Tuesday, when its findings will be made public.

Minister of Home Affairs Ronald Gajraj has asked the family and friends of the slain youth for their indulgence over the delay in the completion of the report.

In a release from their Public Relations Office yesterday, the police said investigations were moving apace and to date they had collected over 30 statements.

“We have reached the stage where we are clearing up a number of issues pertinent to the investigation including forensic examination. However because of the nature of this investigation and the need for us to be thorough, the investigators have indicated their inability to complete the report by today. The earliest date that the full investigation with a typed report can be submitted is Tuesday, after which legal advice will have to be sought.”

The police again stressed that the investigation was 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 the investigation will withstand any scrutiny.”

In a statement issued yesterday the Minister of Home Affairs said that he had met with Dr Mark Kirton and a representative body of the University of Guyana Students Society, and at that meeting had acceded to their request to make the findings of the investigation public. He said that this would happen “not later” than Tuesday.

In the light of the request for additional time by the investigative team, he said, “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.”

Douglas was shot and killed when a police patrol opened fire on a car in which he and four friends were travelling, at the corner of Sheriff and Bonasika streets, Section ‘K’ Campbellville. In the same incident, Ronson Grey, 19, a second year International Relations student and of Layou Street, North Ruimveldt, was shot in the jaw; while another teen, O’Neil King, was shot in the right hand.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with the university student body and other organizations taking to the streets in protest.

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