July 30, 2022 – Teams from the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), responded to and began investigations into two separate fatal shooting incidents by the police. Arising from these incidents, two men were killed, one man was injured and a firearm was reported as recovered in one incident. Both incidents occurred yesterday, July 29, in the parishes of St. James and Kingston.

The incident scenes were processed by INDECOM and forensic exhibits to include the recovered firearm was swabbed for testing. All firearms (recovered and concerned officers) were processed, sealed and packaged for forensic testing. The hands of the deceased men were also swabbed for testing. The concerned officers provided initial accounts of the incidents to the Investigative Teams and the officers will be required to provide statements and attend the office of the Commission to be interviewed.

INDECOM is appealing for the public’s assistance in identifying both deceased men. Anyone with information regarding the incident and or relatives of the deceased are encouraged to share this information with INDECOM by contacting the Commission’s Head Office at (876)968-8875/(876)968-1932 or sending any information, photos or videos to INDECOM’s official Whatsapp line at (876)553-5555.

Mount Salem, St. James

The police have reported that in the early morning of July 29, 2022, officers attended the scene of an alleged attempted burglary of a home in Cornwall Courts in Mount Salem, St. James. It was subsequently reported that the alleged burglar had attended the Mount Salem Police Station. It is reported that whilst at the police station, the man reportedly became ‘boisterous’ and fled from the police station. Two officers went in pursuit of the man who was identified as being the suspect involved in the attempted burglary. During the attempt by the police to apprehend the man, it is alleged that the man hurled stones at the police. One police officer discharged his firearm in the direction of the man, who was fatally wounded from that action. It was further reported that the deceased may be of unsound mind.

Sir Florizel Glasspole Highway, Kingston

The police have reported that on July 29, a police unit was dispatched to respond to reports of robberies by men travelling on motorcycles.  The police engaged men fitting the description, when the police report that there was an exchange of gunfire, which allegedly commenced by the men. It is reported that the motorcycle crashed and two men were seen with gunshot wounds. The men were transported to the hospital where one man was pronounced dead and the other is being treated for his injuries. A .38 Smith and Wesson revolver was reported as recovered from the incident.

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