— three more are being sought as police intensify investigations into killing

POLICE have detained seven persons as they continue their investigations into the murder of the Henry cousins while, up to press time, three more persons are being sought, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum reported at a virtual press briefing on Tuesday afternoon.

The crime chief noted that, based on information received, police are actively trying to locate the three additional individuals, but due to the prevailing circumstances with the protests, their efforts are being stymied.

He is calling on residents not to interfere with the investigation since it would only serve to delay the work of the police. The crime chief also promised a thorough investigation into the killings.

The Guyana Defence Force and Guyana Fire Service have been assisting the Guyana Police Force, on the ground, to clear the debris and other obstacles that residents used to block the roadways.

Acting Police Commissioner, Nigel Hoppie, said the roads were cleared by the ranks overnight and during the day but were re-blocked by the residents.

As a consequence of these unlawful acts, the top cop stated that the Force will have no choice but to take the necessary actions in response.

“The GPF takes this opportunity to warn resident to desist from blocking the road because it is illegal and will stymie the efforts of the police. We urge that you work with us as we try to continue to strengthen our relationship in the community,” the commissioner appealed to West Coast of Berbice (WCB) residents.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, said ranks of the Joint Services have been deployed to restore calm and order to the West Coast of Berbice, after the protesters started to rob innocent citizens.

“The Joint Service ranks are there to restore calm and order and to open the WCB road in its entirety, and, unfortunately, there have been repeated incidents where motorists were attacked and robbed and their vehicles damaged; and other unlawful and unruly incidents which, on occurring, do not bring any calm to the situation and run the risk of bringing a general descent to lawlessness in the area,” he said.

He called on all law-abiding citizens to work with the police so that calm can be restored to the area while calling out those who are inciting the residents to become violent.

“I noted, with some regret, the statements from some leading political persons and some agitators who are characterising the incident of the deaths, without any evidence, as racially-motivated, and, even worse, that certain villages have to take steps to protect themselves in a vigilante mode. I find this very unsettling and unfortunate that these statements have been made. I want to call on those persons to lend their efforts to have those communities and persons over whom they have influence, to desist from unlawful practices related to these events,” Benn said.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that, of the seven persons in custody, one is the owner of the land where the bodies of Isaiah and Joel Henry were found; his son, four of his employees and two coconut vendors from the area.

A post mortem on the two teens, ages 16 and 19, from Number Three village, WCB, is expected to be performed today.