In a ruling on Wednesday, Justice Nigel Niles of the High Court ordered the State to pay a total of $24 million to the estate of Quindon Bacchus, who was shot dead by police officers in an incident that shocked the nation and sparked widespread public outrage.
The tragic death occurred on June 10, 2022, in Haslington, East Coast Demerara.
Quindon Bacchus, a 25-year-old father of one, was gunned down by members of the Guyana Police Force during what was initially described as an undercover sting operation.
The police had claimed that Bacchus was attempting to sell an unlicensed firearm to an undercover officer, and when the officers revealed their identities, Bacchus allegedly fired at them, prompting a fatal exchange of gunfire.
However, further investigations uncovered critical discrepancies in the police account of the events.
It was revealed that no authorised operation was taking place in the area at the time, and no senior officers were aware of any such operation.
Additionally, the firearm that police claimed Bacchus had used was found to be inoperable, making it impossible for him to have fired at the officers.
No civilian witnesses came forward to confirm the police version of events, further casting doubt on the official narrative.
In the wake of the incident, several police officers were placed under investigation. Lance Corporal Kristoff DeNobrega was charged with murder in connection with Bacchus’s death and has been remanded to stand trial in the High Court. Lance Corporal Simon and Sergeant McLennon were also charged with attempting to obstruct justice. The case has drawn attention to the issue of police accountability in Guyana.
The post-mortem report revealed that Bacchus died from multiple gunshot wounds—six shots in total, including five to his back and one to his chest. The young man, who left behind a three-year-old son, became a symbol of public grief, sparking protests and unrest across the nation.
In a courageous move, Bacchus’s mother, on behalf of his estate, filed a lawsuit against the State for the unlawful killing of her son. Dexter Todd and Associates Law Firm, representing the family, initiated the legal action, seeking justice for the brutal loss. The State initially denied liability, claiming that Bacchus’s death was the result of a legitimate police operation. However, in a significant development, the Attorney General’s Office conceded liability in a letter dated July 24, 2024, acknowledging that the police action had been unlawful.
With the issue of liability settled, the court turned its attention to the matter of damages. In his ruling, Justice Niles found that the police’s actions had breached Bacchus’s right to life under the Constitution of Guyana, noting that the right to life must be protected by the state, especially in cases involving unlawful use of force by law enforcement.
After considering similar cases, including settlement amounts and court judgments, Justice Niles ordered that the State pay the Bacchus family a total of $24 million. This sum includes:
$1,000,000 for funeral expenses
$22,500,000 in damages for the breach of Bacchus’s right to life
$500,000 in legal costs
The ruling has been hailed as a significant step towards ensuring accountability within the Guyana Police Force. “This case underscores the fundamental principle that no one, not even those in positions of authority, is above the law,” said Dexter Smartt, one of the attorneys representing the Bacchus family. “It also serves as a reminder that the rights of all citizens must be safeguarded and upheld by the judiciary.”
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