A man was shot and killed, and a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) was injured during an alleged confrontation in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, on Thursday.
The deceased has been identified as Damion Martin. Martin resided in the community of Ebonyvale, where the incident occurred. According to reports, a joint police team which was acting on intelligence went to a premises on Lignum Drive in the area.
Upon reaching the location, the officers reportedly came under gunfire. The officers fired back, and it was during this alleged exchange that Matin and an officer were shot.
A gun was seized at the scene of the shootout. Martin and the officer were later transported to a hospital for treatment, but the former succumbed to his injuries while at the medical facility.
Reports state that the officer, a corporal assigned to the St Catherine South Police Division, is in stable condition after sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. It is not yet clear if the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has launched an investigation into the shooting.
Human rights and social justice organisation Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) continues to express concern over the spike in police-related fatalities. There has been a surge of 166% in police-related fatalities when compared to the same period last year, with more than 133 police-related deaths recorded so far this year.
