Georgetown, Guyana – Four years after the execution-style killing of gold miner Ricardo Fagundes, also known as “Paper Shorts,” his family continues to demand justice, calling for the reopening of the investigation into his death. The family staged their annual protest last Friday outside Palm Court on Main Street, Georgetown, where Fagundes was gunned down in March 2021.
Holding placards with messages such as “We need justice for Ricardo” and “Stop police corruption,” relatives and friends gathered to press authorities, including President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn, and Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, to conduct a thorough and impartial probe into the case.
Tessa Fagundes, Ricardo’s sister, expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation. She revealed that while the family initially protested monthly on the 21st—the day her brother was killed—they now hold annual demonstrations to commemorate his death. “It’s been four years, and we still have no answers. No suspects have been arrested. Justice continues to elude us,” Tessa said during an interview.
The circumstances surrounding Fagundes’ murder remain shrouded in mystery. He was shot multiple times by two gunmen shortly after exiting Palm Court. Witnesses reported that one assailant stood over him and discharged additional rounds before fleeing in a waiting vehicle. Despite the public nature of the crime, investigators have struggled with a lack of eyewitness accounts and cooperation from potential informants.
Adding to the controversy are allegations of corruption within the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Police Sergeant Dion Bascom had previously claimed that senior officers accepted bribes to cover up the case. Bascom alleged that a businessman paid $30 million to derail the investigation and implicated several individuals in connection with Fagundes’ murder. While Bascom’s accusations sparked public outrage, they were dismissed by authorities as “hearsay,” and no formal probe into his claims was launched.
The family has also criticized the findings of a review conducted by the Regional Security Service (RSS), which concluded there was no evidence of a cover-up in the investigation. Many believe that more could have been done to address Bascom’s allegations and uncover the truth behind Fagundes’ killing.
Ricardo’s mother, Carol Fagundes, has been vocal about her grief and frustration over the stalled investigation. “It’s killing me every day,” she said during a previous vigil. “He was my everything, and they just took him away like that. It’s not fair that nothing is being done.”
The family remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice, urging authorities to prioritize the case and ensure accountability for those responsible for Ricardo’s death. Their calls for action echo broader concerns about corruption and inefficiency within Guyana’s law enforcement system when dealing with high-profile crimes.
As protests continue, Fagundes’ relatives vow not to rest until justice is served—a sentiment shared by many who see his case as emblematic of deeper issues within Guyana’s criminal justice system.
