Orin Boston killing: Residents protest for cop to be charged with murder

Days after a member of the SWAT Unit was released on $1 million bail on a manslaughter charge for the fatal shooting of Essequibo businessman Orin Boston in September last year, residents are yet again protesting for justice.

Sherwin Peters, a 32 -year-old police constable and member of the SWAT Unit appeared in court on Friday last. Those protesting are calling for him to be charged with murder.

The protest action, which began at 04:00hrs on Tuesday, is disrupting the free flow of traffic. The News Room understands that school children, businesses and persons heading to the northern side of the coast are being affected.

Residents in the area have blocked the main access bridge on the road by burning debris; they have also set up a banner which reads: “Justice for Junior Orin Boston aka Bat.”

A team of policemen are on the ground along with a team from the Guyana Fire Service.

Regional Commander Denise Griffith had warned that the situation in the village was not completely calm. The Commander had also pledged her support to Boston’s family and demanded that justice is served.

Months after the shooting, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) last week recommended that the cop who fired the fatal shot towards an unarmed Boston is charged with manslaughter.

Boston was shot during an anti-crime operation. The SWAT unit was reportedly searching for prohibited items in Boston’s house although nothing illegal was found during the raids.

Boston’s family had disputed the police’s claims that he was shot during a confrontation and alleged that he was shot in his sleep.

Residents had staged a protest and blocked the bridge following the shooting on September 15, 2021.

The investigation into the shooting was conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility.

Boston was a father of two young children and operated the ‘Ease Meh Stress’ Bar.