Man Killed, Firearm Seized During Spanish Town Police OperationA man was shot and killed, and a firearm was seized after he allegedly confronted a police team conducting an operation in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, on Friday.
The deceased’s identity has not yet been shared with the public. According to reports, officers from the St. Catherine North police division were conducting an operation in the community of Shelter Rock when the shooting happened.
At approximately 6:20 a.m. this morning, the police team was allegedly challenged by a man who was reportedly armed with an illegal firearm. Taking evasive action, the officers opened fire on the man, injuring him.
The man’s weapon, a nine-millimetre pistol affixed with a magazine containing four rounds of ammunition, was later seized at the scene. The injured man was taken to the Spanish Town Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The Independent Commission of Investigation (INDECOM) was notified of the shooting and has since launched an investigation into the incident. According to statistics provided by the organisation, there have been 207 police-related shootings since the beginning of the year.
Seventeen police-related fatal shootings have been reported for the month of August. INDECOM has raised concerns on multiple occasions regarding the lack of body-worn cameras, specifically during the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s targeted operations.
