“Whenever he got money, he would go and smoke. He would behave badly at home, but never to outsiders” — mother of Pierri
The mother of Roger Erwyn Pierri, the 55-year-old man fatally shot by police in Airy Hall, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD), after he went berserk and viciously attacked several persons said he would behave badly at home, but never to outsiders.
Pierri’s mother, Pamela De Silva, described him as a troubled yet loving son who battled with mental health issues and drug addiction for most of his life. De Silva recounted her son’s struggles in an interview with Guyana Daily News.
“He was a pleasant man, but eventually, he became a drug addict,” she shared. “Whenever he got money, he would go and smoke. He would behave badly at home, but never to outsiders. I always prayed about it, asking God to see me through.”
Pierri had been diagnosed with schizophrenia over 35 years ago and was a long-time outpatient at the local psychiatric clinic.
His father, speaking from New Jersey, confirmed this, saying, “He suffered from schizophrenia and would sometimes mistake children for monsters when in a state of psychosis. Once he received treatment, he’d return to normal.”
The family suspects that Pierri may have missed his medication and was triggered by external factors.
“He used cocaine, and we’ve heard that these days it’s laced with dangerous substances. This might have worsened his condition,” the father explained.
Meanwhile, De Silva revealed that despite numerous reports to the police about Pierri’s erratic behaviour, they often failed to respond.
“Several times, I went to the station, but no one came. Once, four officers arrived after I called. He raised a cutlass at them, but they left without taking action,” she said.
On the morning of the incident, Pierri left home with a black bag, reportedly asking someone for $100 before an altercation occurred.
Eyewitnesses said Fredrick Williams was one of the only people who could talk to Pierri, and he would listen; at the time of the incident, Terrence attempted to calm him. “I heard Williams tried to make peace, but things escalated,” De Silva stated.
De Silva lamented the lack of communication from the authorities. “No one has told me what happened or even who shot him. I wasn’t there, so I don’t know what led to the shooting. I only know he left home around 8 am,” she said.
The family is also uncertain about the whereabouts of Pierri’s belongings, including his bicycle. “I’ve lost so much already, and now I don’t even know where his cycle is,” De Silva said tearfully.
The family is calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Pierri’s death.
“He was my eldest son, and no matter what he did, he didn’t deserve to die this way,” De Silva said.
At around 09:30h on Wednesday (January 15, 2025), Pierre attacked and stabbed Laldat Tooknauth a 63-year-old resident of Huntley, Mahaicony, ECD, causing his intestines to protrude, while he was in the village. He then escaped.
Tooknauth was rushed to the hospital and was admitted in a critical condition.
At around 10:30h, police from Mahaicony Station received information that the suspect was at Novar School Dam, armed with a knife and causing panic in the vicinity.
As a result, a team of Police ranks responded. Upon their arrival, they spotted the suspect on Dundee Public Road, brandishing the knife. Efforts to disarm and arrest him were met with resistance, as he approached the officers aggressively.
During the confrontation, the suspect was shot in his left foot, which was visibly bleeding, yet he continued to ignore police orders to drop the knife, walking along the public road.As he reached the neighbouring village of Airy Hall, bystanders attempted to persuade him to surrender.
However, his aggression escalated as he threw glass bottles at both the officers and residents and hurled white sand at them. He then concealed the knife in his waistband, retrieved a steel rod from a nearby construction site, and attacked a resident named Lambert Nunes, 69, inflicting a wound to his left hand. Continuing north along a cross street, the suspect was pursued by police and several locals intent on restraining him.
Williams, a 68-year-old resident of Airy Hall, Mahaicony, joined other men in subduing the suspect, tackling him to the ground. In the altercation, Pierre managed to seize the knife and mounted Williams, repeatedly stabbing him in the head and other areas.
Witnessing this, two of the ranks fired multiple shots at the suspect, rendering him motionless. Both the suspect and Williams were subsequently taken to Mahaicony Hospital, where Williams succumbed to his injuries while being treated, and Pierre was pronounced dead on arrival.
“The bodies of Williams and the suspect were examined, and both displayed gunshot wounds, while Williams had sustained multiple stab injuries to his head and body. Both bodies are currently at Bailey/Michael Funeral Parlour.
Statements have been collected, the area canvassed for CCTV cameras, and the investigation is being conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility,” the Guyana Police Force (GPF), said in a statement.
