The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched an investigation regarding the shooting to death of Hewley Barker.

In the same incident, Mark Caesar who was shot and injured, was discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) and is in police custody.

Heera Mackhanlall, Second-in-Charge of OPR, told the Guyana Chronicle that the relatives of both men did not lodge a complaint at the office but the policeman involved is under investigation.

When asked if he was still on the job, Mr. Mackhanlall said that he is, but investigations are ongoing.

Police reported that at about 02:00 hours on Saturday, at Station Street and Railway Line, Kitty, an armed policeman in civilian clothing came under fire from a group of three men and returned fire, fatally wounding Hewley Barker, 28, of Norton Street, Georgetown, and injuring Mark Caesar of Charlestown, Georgetown, to his right side.

Initial investigations revealed that the policeman was in the area when he observed a group of men arguing and behaving disorderly. The policeman approached the group intent on warning them about their behaviour but one of the men pushed him aside and they ran away.

The man subsequently returned accompanied by Hewley Barker and Mark Caesar and they confronted the policeman and began to assault him, although he identified himself as a policeman. During the confrontation two of the men pulled firearms and a round was discharged at the policeman, who returned fire fatally wounding Hewley Barker and injuring Mark Caesar. The other man managed to escape.

Hewley Barker and Mark Caesar were taken to the GPH by the police where Hewley Barker succumbed while receiving medical attention, while Mark Caesar has been admitted a patient under guard.

The incident reportedly occurred at Roopa’s Bar and it is alleged that the policeman in question, who has since been identified as an Assistant Superintendent, used excessive force in the incident and relatives of both men are asking that justice be served.