SWAT Constable who shot Orin Boston found guilty of manslaughter

Police Constable Sherwin Peters was on Wednesday found guilty of the fatal shooting of Essequibo businessman Orin Boston in September 2021.

Peters was charged with manslaughter and was remanded to prison. He is expected to be sentenced on July 10, 2025.

He made his appearance at the High Court in Essequibo before Justice Sandil Kissoon.

Peters was committed to stand trial in July 2022. On Wednesday after some 25 witnesses testified in the trial, the jury announced a unanimous guilty verdict.

State Counsel Latifah Elliot prosecuted the case while Peters represented himself.

Particulars of the charge alleged that Peters on September 15, 2021, at Dartmouth, Essequibo unlawfully killed Boston.

On January 14, 2022, Peters made his first court appearance and was released on $1M bail.

Boston of Dartmouth, Essequibo was shot during an anti-crime operation. The Special Weapons and Tactics (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.

Following the shooting of Boston on September 15, 2021, residents began protesting, blocking the main bridge along the road and setting debris on fire.

The investigation which was conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility was forwarded to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, Justice (ret’d) William Ramlall on September 23, 2021.

The file was later sent to the Director of Public Prosecution who recommended that manslaughter charges be brought against the police constable.