Duncan buried; Dookeran says let justice take its course

Duncan's funeral - Express photo

Friends and family paid their final respects Tuesday to Atiba Duncan and later buried him at the San Juan Public Cemetary.

Police shot and killed Duncan on April 4. His death has sparked a raging controversy with people from the community of Mount D'Or claiming that police deliberately killed him. Duncan died from a single gun shot wound to the back, an autopsy found.

The MP for the area, Justice Minister Herbert Volney, also expressed concerns about the killing and urged the commissioner of police to suspend the officers involved in the incident. Volney called it a "homicide".

Volney attended the funeral and promised to do all within his power to see that Duncan's family gets justice.

He told reporters police who use powerful rifles need to undergo stringent training. "Years ago, constables had batons and the police killing did not reach 90 in two years," Volney said.

"They have to be careful in the use of their firearms and I think we have to go back in the training schools to put it in the head of constables," Volney added.

He also suggested that officers involved in fatal shootings should be removed from their respective stations to avoid possible tampering of evidence.

The two officers involved in the shooting of Duncan have been transferred and assigned to desk duties at their new posts.

The officers allege they had gone to execute an arrest warrant on Duncan, when he attempted to fire at them and they fired first, resulting in his death.

Acting Prime Minister Winston Dookeran commented on Wednesday on the matter through a media release in which he said it is unfortunate that unsubstantiated statements have been made regarding Duncan's death.

Dookeran said until independent investigations are conducted and due process is allowed, no conclusions can be fairly arrived at and any attempt to do so is inappropriate and prejudicial.

He said, "the independence and integrity of the process should not be sullied by premature judgments and public pronouncements...

"While it is understandable how the tragic circumstances can produce an emotionally charged atmosphere, improper reaction by those in authority cannot be allowed to compromise the very process through which justice is sought and delivered," Dookeran added.