Cop in shooting death of Quindon Bacchus to be slapped with murder charge
Updated: Jul 5, 2022
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, has advised the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to charge one of its own with murder over the shooting death of 23-year-old Quindon Bacchus.
Following the shooting, the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) was instructed to conduct a thorough probe. On Sunday, Chairman of PCA, Justice (Ret’d) William Ramlal, recommended charges against three members of the GPF.
Mere hours after the recommendation, the DPP advised that Lance Corporal Kristoff De Nobrega be charged with murder.
Lance Corporal Thurston Simon and Sergeant Dameion McLennon will be slapped with the offence of attempting to obstruct the course of justice. Simon will also be charged with the offence of conduct prejudice to good order and discipline.
Bacchus, a father of one, was shot on June 10 during what the GPF claimed was an intelligence-led operation at Haslington New Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
According to the Police, a 22-year-old construction worker who provided “certain information” led ranks to Bacchus, who allegedly possessed a firearm and was intended to sell it to one of the ranks.
While handing the firearm to the rank, the GPF claimed that Bacchus opened gunfire on De Nobrega, who shot him in the process.
MTV News Update understands that the 23-year-old father was shot six times and once to the head.
On Tuesday last, a massive protest erupted on the East Coast corridor over the young man’s death after an online social media agency published an inaccurate post saying that De Nobrega was released from police custody.
The protest led to vendors attached to the Mon Repos market being attacked and robbed. This protest also caused commuters to return to their homes because the roads were blocked. Many businesses along the route were forced to shut their doors as well.
