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Family sues state for $200M for police killing of Linden youth
Linden youth Ronaldo Peters
Kaieteur News – A lawsuit has been filed in the name of Linden youth Ronaldo Peters who was shot dead by a policeman in Linden on April 7, 2025.
The lawsuit filed on behalf of the common law wife of 21-year-old Peters and the mother of his only child is seeking damages in excess of $200 million from the State for his wrongful death. The document filed by attorney, Darren Wade seeks several declarations including an order that the actions and omissions of the State, through its agent, constitute a violation of Peters’ constitutional rights under: Article 138 – the Right to Life, Article 141 – the Right not to be subjected to inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment, and Article 149D – the Right to Protection of the Law.
According to the lawsuit, Peters’ right to life guaranteed under Article 138 was violated when Sergeant Philbert Kendall, a member of the Guyana Police Force, discharged a firearm at him without lawful justification. The document explained “The deceased was not armed, was not threatening anyone, and posed no imminent danger to life or public safety. The use of lethal force in these circumstances was unnecessary, excessive, and unlawful, amounting to an arbitrary deprivation of life by a State actor.”
The lawsuit contends that the deceased right to protection of the law under Article 149D was also violated when he was shot, and when he was denied prompt and adequate medical attention.
“The police officers on the scene failed to render or facilitate emergency medical care despite being aware of the severity of his injury, which contributed directly to his death. This failure reflects a broader disregard for the procedural and substantive legal protections owed to citizens, particularly when in police custody,” the document stated.
Further, it pointed out that the conduct of the police in shooting an unarmed man and failing to provide medical treatment constitutes a violation of Article 141, which guarantees the right not to be subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. “The treatment of the deceased, both during and after the shooting, fell below the minimum standards of decency required under the Constitution and international human rights law.”
The document stated that the application is made on behalf of the common law wife of the deceased for seven (7) years prior to his death. She was appointed Administrator Ad Litem of his estate by the Honourable Justice Nicola Pierre on the 12th day of August, 2025. It noted that the deceased was a 21-year-old vibrant young man with a promising future who fathered a minor child named Amara Rhea Peters, born on the 19th day of December, 2023.
On April 7, 2025, the deceased was shot by Sergeant Kendall, a member of the Guyana Police Force, during the course of his duties at One Mile, Wismar, Linden.
It was reported that while attempting to approach the deceased, Sergeant Kendall pursued him as he fled and discharged his firearm, striking the deceased and causing him to fall to the ground. Peters was subsequently picked up by the police and taken to the Wismar Police Station. After being held at the Wismar Police Station, he was transported to the McKenzie Hospital, Linden, on the same day, where he succumbed to the gunshot injury.
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