The Police in St Andrew have refuted accusations made by residents in August Town concerning Wednesday’s police shooting and injuring of a man in the community.
Residents mounted roadblocks in protest of the shooting on Thursday, February 22, 2024, claiming that the officers who reportedly shot and injured the suspect were not wearing uniforms and entered the community in an unmarked vehicle. They also added that the law enforcement officers did not identify themselves before opening fire at the suspect.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Marlon Nesbeth, commanding officer for St Andrew Central, refuted the claims made by residents.
He stated that at about 1:40 p.m., the officers were on operation in the African Garden community when they encountered a group that aroused their suspicion. As the Police alighted the service vehicle, one man from the group brandished a firearm and pointed it at the officers. The officers took evasive action and fired at the suspect.
The suspect ran onto the premises, and the Police followed him.
Upon entering the premises, the officers apprehended the wounded man and retrieved one Glock pistol fitted with a magazine containing 10 9mm rounds.
The Police identified the suspect as Jermaine O’Mealley, who was subsequently admitted to the hospital under police guard.
SSP Nesbeth stated that O’Meally was a suspect in a murder investigation in the St Andrew South Division in June 2023 and was also suspected in other criminal incidents. Nesbeth also sought to refute claims that the shooting was politically motivated.
Motorcyclist dies following crash in St. Elizabeth.
A tragic incident occurred on Main Street, Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Itola Edwards, also known as ‘Sanchez’, from Friendship Street and Kingston addresses, was involved in a collision with a bus, resulting in serious injuries. Despite medical care, Mr. Edwards sadly passed away in the hospital on Thursday.
The collision occurred around 4 p.m. as a Toyota Hiace bus was turning right towards Santa Cruz. Mr. Edwards, who was overtaking them, collided with the side of the bus. This resulted in him being thrown from the motorcycle and sustaining severe head injuries.
After being initially treated in a St. Elizabeth hospital, Mr. Edwards was transferred to the Kingston Public Hospital, where he unfortunately passed away the following day. This tragic event marks the third fatal crash involving motorcyclists in St. Elizabeth during that week.
A traffic cop shot a taxi operator in Half-Way after allegedly attempting to use his vehicle as a weapon.
A taxi driver was shot by a traffic cop in St. Andrew after he failed to stop and reportedly tried to use his vehicle as a weapon against the officer on Friday morning in Half-Way Tree.
Preliminary reports indicate the altercation occurred around 7:15 a.m. in front of Brooklyn Supermarket on Hope Road. The traffic cop signaled the cab driver to stop, but the driver ignored the order and allegedly attempted to strike the officer with his vehicle. In response, the officer took evasive action and fired at the taxi driver, hitting him in the shoulder.
As a result of the incident, traffic congestion along Hope Road ensued, causing significant delays for commuters. The Independent Commission of Investigations is currently conducting an inquiry into the shooting.