Mentally-ill former soldier dies after shot by Police

Former soldier Charles Peters, the Melanie, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man who was shot by Police Tuesday died this morning while a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The News Room was told that he died at approximately 01: 00h. Police had said that he received a gunshot injury to arm.
Peters was walking along a street in the community of Clonbrook, ECD when ranks of a police patrol noticed him and approached him.

The intention was to carry out a search on this person but it is reported that as one rank from the patrol was carrying out the search, the man reportedly attempted to attack him.

Peters, a father of two, was first treated at the Enmore polyclinic before being moved to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated and admitted to a ward.

The weapon which was used by the rank was confiscated and tests are to be carried out while the Policeman who did the shooting is reportedly under close arrest.

The investigation is being handled by the Police Office of Professional Responsibility.

There were three ranks on the patrol at the time of the shooting with the most senior being a Lance Corporal. It is unclear if the Standing Operating Procedures of the Police Force which speaks to how ranks should engage suspects while on patrol were followed.

It is unclear why the same rank who was carrying out the search on a suspect was still holding his weapon and if the other ranks of the patrol were either out or inside of the vehicle while the search was being conducted on the man. (Leroy Smith)