Douglas was laid to rest at the Beterverwagting Burial Ground, East Coast Demerara, at around 6:15 pm after thousands had clamoured to have a last glimpse of a youth whose death had shocked the nation.

His body, immaculately dressed in a suit and appearing to be sleeping peacefully, was on view for over an hour at the Merriman's Funeral Home. After the casket engraved with Douglas' name had been closed and removed from the funeral home, many were disappointed.

A funeral service was held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Brickdam, with the crowds spilling out into the churchyard.

Tributes were delivered in song and word from his graduating class from St Joseph's High, the owner of the Empire's Basketball team, of which he was a member, basketball players and other friends and relatives.

Also present at the funeral service were members of the diplomatic corps, government officials and representatives of the PNCR.

After the funeral service onlookers lined the streets as the hearse moved through the city and numerous mourners marched along the East Coast road, causing traffic jams in their wake.

To avoid the crowd the hearse had to divert from the path of the march, and take another road in order to reach the burial ground in time.

Delivering the eulogy was one of Yohance's uncles, who recalled that when greeting Yohance the first thing one would see was his "white teeth" as he smiled. As a child he was very playful and many would remember having to run to catch him which he found very funny since he was always quicker than them.

He was good at almost all outdoor sports, including volley ball, cricket and most of all, basketball.

His uncle recalled that Yohance's mother cried when he graduated from secondary school with a distinction. The slain youth was also described as a devout Catholic.

The elder Douglas reminisced on some of the things Yohance's siblings, nieces, nephews and other relatives remembered about their "loving brother."

He also recalled Yohance's first visit to the United States last summer and how he had been reunited with many family members he had not seen for years. At this point the man broke down in tears.

According to the uncle, "his final words as his life was ebbing away were for his mother, 'Mommy, I am sorry and I love you.'"

Leader of the PNCR, Robert Corbin, who gave a tribute as party leader and also as a close associate of the family noted that Yohance "was cut down in the prime of his youth, unable to fulfil his life's ambition... Yet in his death and in this hour of grief for all who knew him and did not know him, his death is seen as a wake-up call for the people of Guyana and the rebirth of the conscience of a nation."

In reciting one of Guyana's native songs, Corbin noted that "we as a nation have failed to give him that opportunity to develop himself to build a new Guyana, great and free, a land of love and unity. He was the finest of what Guyana offers, a student, athlete, friend, with all the skills and attributes that we will be proud about. But yet today we mourn his death. Today as we mourn his passing, the opportunity presents itself for us as a nation, leaders and citizens alike, to pause and reflect on the destiny that we want... for our generation yet unborn."

He urged that Yohance's death should not be in vain and hoped that "the conscience of the nation is sufficiently aroused..."

President of the Guyana Bar Association, Nigel Hughes said, "We meet a dangerous time, a time of the slaughter of the lamb," while quoting excerpts of a Martin Carter poem.

He pledged that the full resources of the association would be used to ensure that the "ultimate sacrifice which you so generously gave shall not be in vain."

Other persons giving tributes to the life of the young man pleaded that his life and all that he had done for others, not be forgotten.

His close and `special friend,' Andrea described him as being "unique" adding that he brought out the best in her and everyone else. "He was always smiling, I would always remember him saying `we both can't be serious, somebody has to have a good sense of humour.' I loved him for these little qualities..." She added that Yohance had great dreams and that he was a good son, brother, friend, companion and "without a doubt would have been a wonderful husband and father. I am sure he would not be forgotten for he would always be in my heart and in the hearts of Guyana's people..."

Headmistress of the St Joseph High School gave her tribute in the form of a letter to the fallen youth describing all the qualities the teachers and students of the school had fallen in love with. "We fell in love with your innocent smile, your innocent eyes." In the letter she said some teachers said they had heard Yohance's voice until he was ready to graduate while others recall how he would "pinch Andrea's ear" and wickedly blame it on another youth. They remembered his love for basketball and how he would bounce the ball in the empty classrooms even as his CXC exams were approaching, and when upbraided he said, 'don't worry we gon' surprise you.' And you did, you left St Joseph in a wave of glory, you kept your promise and you made us proud."

The headmistress said they at the school blended their cries with all other Guyanese in order to ensure that justice and peace would prevail and also that his "precious life did not go down in vain."

Chancellor of UG, Professor Calestous Juma in his tribute read in church, said, "The shooting death of Yohance Douglas is a most unfortunate event. I share deeply the grief of his immediate family, fellow students, the university community and the Guyanese society at large." He said that may the "lesson we have learnt from this horrific human tragedy transform our collective will to make our society a more secure, safe and better place at peace with itself and all its citizens."

Yohance was in a car with four other youths when police opened fire on them at the corner of Sheriff and Bonasika streets. He was killed while another youth, Ronson Gray was shot in the mouth.

He was an architecture student at the University of Guyana and his death saw a public outcry prompting the police to launch an investigation into his killing, a report on which is expected today.

The University of Guyana Student's Society (UGSS) organised a five-day protest over his death which other organisations and individuals joined.