August 18, 2021 – The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) responded to and began investigations into four separate fatal shooting incidents by the police on Monday, August 16, 2021. These incidents resulted in the death of five males (two teenagers and three adults) and the alleged recovery of four firearms at the incident scenes. The hands of each deceased man were swabbed for gunshot residue.

All police officers, involved in the four incidents, have provided initial accounts to INDECOM Investigators, and were issued Section 21 Notices to furnish a statement and attend the offices of INDECOM, this week, where they will be interviewed, in relation to their respective incidents.

Big Lane, Central Village, St. Catherine

The police have reported to INDECOM, that three officers were on patrol duties in Central Village when the team received a radio transmission regarding gunshots in the Big Lane area. It is alleged that two men were seen who fired at the police, and the police officers then fired in the direction of the men. One male was found suffering from gunshot injuries, and was pronounced dead at Spanish Town Hospital, while the other male is reported as having escaped. The deceased has been identified as 16 year old, Geovanni Johnson.

One firearm, a .38 revolver with serial number, was reported as recovered from the incident scene. The scene was processed by INDECOM and the weapons of the officers as well as the recovered firearm were boxed and sealed for testing at the Government Forensic Laboratory.

Gardener Land, Oracabessa, St. Mary

The police have stated that a team of three police officers were on foot patrol in the community of Gardener Land, when there was exchange of gunfire between the police unit and a man seen on a verandah of a dwelling. It is alleged that the man ran into the house and the exchange of gunfire continued. Two men were subsequently found inside the house with gunshot injuries and were pronounced dead at the Port Maria Hospital. The deceased males have been identified as 19 year old, Demario Saunders and 24 year old Ramone Chin.

A 9mm Browning pistol with serial number was reported as recovered from one of the deceased.

The incident scene, weapons of the police officers and the recovered firearm were processed by INDECOM.

Burger Gully, Burger Avenue, Kingston 2

The police have reported that officers were on mobile patrol when they were advised of gunshots in the vicinity of Burger Gully. The officers reported that upon arrival at the location, men fired at them and in response the police officers fired in the direction of the men. One man who was found to be suffering from gunshot injuries, was transported to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The deceased has not been identified.

The incident scene, to include two vehicles reportedly damaged during the exchange of gunfire, was processed by INDECOM. The weapons of the officers as well as the recovered firearm, 9mm pistol with serial number, were boxed and sealed for testing at the Government Forensic Laboratory.

Bow Tie Land, Kingston

The police have reported that five police officers went in pursuit of men, who ran onto a premises with an unfinished structure. There was an alleged exchange of gunfire between at least one man and the police officers. A man was subsequently found with gunshot wounds inside the dwelling and was pronounced dead at Kingston Public Hospital. A Glock with serial number was reported as recovered from the deceased.

At this time, the deceased male is officially unidentified.

The incident scene, weapons of the police officers and the recovered firearm were processed by INDECOM.

INDECOM reminds the public that it is important for persons, with information, to contact our Head Office and assist with these investigations. All initial accounts provided by the police to INDECOM, are preliminary reports and will be subjected to all the requisite investigative and forensic examination.

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