By Dacia Richards | HGP Nightly News
Two young lives lost—two communities in mourning. On Sunday, Ronaldo Peters—who was fatally shot by police on April 7—and Keon Fogenay, who was killed during protest unrest sparked by Peters’ death, were laid to rest in Linden amid calls for justice, accountability, and restraint.
At the emotional funeral service, Mayor of Linden Sharma Solomon urged the grieving families and residents to remain patient and composed as they await justice.
“We ask those in authority to be mindful… as they seek diligently. We hold these restraints to understand that justice is the only pursuit,” Solomon stated.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Nigel Hughes delivered a powerful message, drawing parallels between the current situation and the 2012 Linden protest, where three men were killed during unrest. He argued that Guyana has yet to see justice for those deaths, and warned against trusting current state-led investigations.
“The Guyana Police Force cannot investigate these murders,” Hughes declared, adding that an independent body—one not affiliated with the police—must be established to ensure fairness.
Hughes further called on the grieving families not to accept any investigation by the Guyana Police Force or the Regional Security System (RSS), stating that both entities are “incapable” of conducting an impartial probe.
“If you want to pay tribute to these two sons here,” Hughes said, “do not accept a police investigation and do not accept one from the RSS.”
In an emotional appeal for state accountability, Hughes also said the government should compensate the families of the victims with a minimum of GY$100 million each.
Both Peters, a father of one, and Funder, a father of four, leave behind young children, devastated families, and a community demanding answers.
