May 4, 2021 – The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) responded to and began investigations into three separate fatal shooting incidents by the police on May 3, 2021. Two incidents occurred in Portmore, St. Catherine and the third in Trench Town, Kingston.
- Fatal Shooting of Isaiah Gibbons – Christian Garden, Gregory Park, Portmore, St. Catherine
The police have reported that at approximately 5:00pm, a team of officers were on foot patrol conducting surveillance duties in Christian Garden, Gregory Park. Upon seeing the police, a group of men ran. While chasing the men, an officer encountered a man with a firearm, and a struggle ensued. To assist his colleague, another officer discharged his firearm in the direction of the man. The man, Isaiah Gibbons, was pronounced dead at the Spanish Town Hospital.
It has been reported by the police that a Smith and Wesson pistol with serial number was retrieved at the incident scene.
- Fatal Shooting of unidentified man – Trench Town, Kingston
The police have reported that a team of police officers were on Upper Second Street in the vicinity of Fifth Street at approximately 6:45pm, when they observed a group of men who were armed with firearms. The men ran in an attempt to elude the police. During the chase of the men, one man was confronted and pointed a fireman at the police. Two officers discharged their weapons and the man was shot. The deceased man has not been officially identified, though a driver’s licence with the name Jovane Barnes, was recovered from his pocket.
It is further reported that a black Keltec pistol was recovered from the scene.
- Fatal Shooting of Nicholas Stanford – Foster Lane, Naggo Head, Portmore, St. Catherine
The police have reported that at approximately 8:10pm, while responding to a murder scene at Foster Lane, gunshots were heard in their immediate vicinity. The officers proceeded on foot to the area, where a man was seen pointing a firearm at the officers. The officers fired in the direction of the man. The deceased, 21 year old, Nicholas Stanford was pronounced dead on arrival at the Spanish Town Hospital.
It is further reported that a Beretta 9mm semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the scene.
INDECOM’s Forensic Team alongside officers from JCF Scenes of Crime processed the incident scenes. The weapons of the concerned officers as well as the three recovered firearms were seized, photographed, boxed and sealed for testing at the Government Forensic Laboratory. All concerned officers were served Section 21 notices to furnish statements and attend the offices of INDECOM to be interviewed this week.
Persons with information regarding any of these three incidents are asked to contact INDECOM’s Head Office at (876) 968-8875, (876) 968-1932 or send information via whatsapp at 876-553-5555, to assist in the ongoing investigations.
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