The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has launched investigations into the deaths of five men who were killed during four different incidents on Thursday.
The deceased men have been identified as Damion Nembhard of St. Catherine; 30-year-old Dereico Hayle and brothers 22-year-old Jaeden Love and 23-year-old Jhordon Love of Bethel Town Westmoreland; and 31-year-old Keno Plummer, also of Westmoreland. The Love brothers were shot and killed by members of the security forces during a joint military targeted operation.
According to reports, the officers were executing a search warrant at the brothers’ residence when they allegedly opened fire on them. The officers went on to return fire. Dereico Hayle was killed after the officers encountered him and another man in the Galloway district of Bethel Town.
One of the men allegedly opened fire at the police, who were forced to return fire. After the men fled the scene, Hayle’s body was found in nearby bushes, but his companion escaped.
Keno Plummer was killed during the third incident that occurred yesterday. Plummer allegedly approached an off-duty officer who was sitting in his car and pointed a gun at him. The officer took evasive action and shot Plummer.
Damion Nembhard died during a confrontation with the police who were searching for him during an operation on Huckleberry Avenue. Nembhard reportedly fired at the police team, who returned fire, shooting him in the process.
According to INDECOM four firearms were seized during three of the incidents.
