Latest update March 27th, 2026 12:40 AM
‘Police have me drinking my tears’ – Aunt of Ronaldo Peters says
…Ronaldo was not how they portraying him to be
Kaieteur News – The community of Linden, Region Ten, is reeling from the brutal killing of 21-year-old Ronaldo Peters by a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday.
Ronaldo Peters aunt, who demanded justice for him. (Screen grab from PNCR FB page)
Peters, a labourer and father of one, was shot at One Mile, Wismar, and his body dumped into a minibus by the rank. He was taken to the MacKenzie Public Hospital, where he died while receiving treatment. Peters’ aunt, Mary Benjamin said she has been taking care of the young man for years. She was at the time speaking with Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon who visited the family’s home on Tuesday. She vehemently denied the police’s portrayal of her nephew. “The father gave him a land, he starts building a house … he done laid his foundation … Ronaldo ain’t got no criminal record and police never run here for Ronaldo,” Benjamin stated, her voice thick with sorrow and anger.
She continued, “Like I ain’t understand how the shooting really come about, like I ain’t really understand how they can just run and shoot him just like that.”
Ronaldo Peters aunt, who demanded justice for him. (Screen grab from PNCR FB page)
The aunt painted a picture of a young man striving to build a life for himself and his young family. “They have a one-year-old. Ronaldo is 21,” she explained. “Plus, when I look at the footage, when they (the rank) done shoot my nephew, they drag him like an animal like he is a dog. He is not a dog, even if he was a criminal, still they had no right treating him like that, and he is not a criminal, he doesn’t have no criminal records,” the aunt said.
The outpouring of support from friends who gathered at the hospital and police station further contradicts the police’s narrative, Benjamin related. “These people that went to the hospital, most of them are friends. If these people did know that this boy (Peters) was such a nuisance to society, and was so disgusting, you feel all these people would have showed up at the hospital and at the station? No they wouldn’t have gone, because you know they would have say he always in something,” Benjamin said.
She further broke down in tears, stating, “I need justice; the police have me drinking my tears for my nephew. Naldo (Peters) was like my own child, he never, never, never disrespect me … the police have me drinking my tears, now he gone now.”
Mayor Solomon condemned the shooting of Peters, who was reportedly unarmed and posed no threat to the rank. Solomon also expressed concerns over the police’s behavior and the initial statement which allegedly misrepresented video evidence. “Why we can see such outrage by our community today (protest by Lindeners) and more so compounded by it when we are now hearing by the family members, his aunt who he lived with, that he was one of the most respectful young men,” the mayor stated.
Meanwhile, in a separate meeting with the executive members of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the aunt revealed that the police had contacted her regarding Peters in March. She said the police had asked her to take her nephew to the station; however, they provided no explanation why. The team visiting the home included Members of Parliament, Shurwayne Holder, who also serves as chairman of the party, Vinceroy Jordan, vice-chair; Dr. Karen Cummings, Shadow Minister of Health, Sherwin Benjamin, General Secretary, along with the Deputy Mayor of Linden, Dominique Blair.
Jordan voiced his outrage over the killing and called for a thorough and transparent investigation. He drew parallels to the unresolved murders of the Henry boys, emphasising the need for unity and justice. “These activities or these happenings under the People Progressive Party Civic are nothing new, and it is high time that we, as citizens, as the people of Guyana, stand united in this matter.”
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) stated that a police sergeant from Wismar Police Station reported that Peters was wanted for questioning in relation to a report of an alleged rape of a child under 16 years, which occurred between December 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025. Police also claimed that the rank’s “gun went off”, hitting Peters. The sergeant accused of shooting Peters is under close arrest at the Tactical Service Unit (TSU), while the police Office for Professional Responsibility (OPR) has commenced an investigation.
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