Guyana: Vigil Held for Jukeem Scipio in Georgetown, Calls for Justice

A candlelight vigil took place in Sophia, Georgetown, on Thursday night, where family members, friends, and community residents gathered to demand justice for 19-year-old Jukeem Scipio, who was shot by law enforcement during a police operation. The gathering, which included political representatives, quickly turned into a public appeal for accountability from the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Participants held candles and placards, expressing their frustration over the GPF’s silence regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Scipio, a local laborer, is currently hospitalized with a severe gunshot injury, and his family reports that the prognosis is grim due to the bullet being lodged near his spine.

Faith Fordyce, Scipio’s mother, spoke emotionally at the vigil, condemning the actions of the police. She stated, “Right now, I need justice. My child didn’t deserve what the police do, and I need justice for my child. They treated him like a dog and then shot him like a dog. My child works hard; he is not a criminal. The police know the real criminals.”

The shooting occurred during a police operation aimed at apprehending Scipio in connection with an alleged armed robbery. Police officials claimed that the shooting was part of a lawful apprehension, but Scipio’s relatives dispute this narrative, asserting that he was wrongfully targeted.

Witnesses reported that an officer re-cocked the weapon after Scipio was down, raising concerns about the conduct of the police during the incident. As community anger grows, residents are calling for an independent investigation into the actions of the police during the operation.

Source: hgptv.com