On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, a Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court Judge made the compassionate decision to refer an assault case involving three police officers to restorative justice.
Sergeant Steve Forrest, Constable Brian Grant, and Detective Corporal Roger Spence, the accused officers, appeared in court that day to answer to the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm concerning another serving member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
This charge stemmed from an incident on December 4, 2021, during which the officer sustained injuries to his face and body.
After an investigation by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) and a ruling by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the authorities indicted the officers.
Parish court judge Sanchia Burrell empathetically recommended ventilating the matter through restorative justice.
The accused officers are to return to Court on November 21, at which time the court will hear the outcome of the restorative justice process.
Police arrested the suspect in the Kingston Street shooting on July 9.
KINGSTON, Jamaica—A resident of St. James has been charged with a shooting incident and multiple firearms violations after allegedly firing a gun at an individual on King Street in Kingston on July 9, 2024.
The accused, identified as John Roach, also known as ‘John-John,’ aged 32, and residing in Canterbury, Montego Bay, St. James, has been charged with shooting with intent, possession of a prohibited weapon, discharging a firearm in a public place, possession of a firearm with intent to injure, and using a firearm to commit a felony.
Reports indicate that at approximately 5:15 p.m. on July 9, Roach allegedly fired a gun at the complainant, who managed to escape without injury.
Following the incident, the complainant promptly reported the matter to the police. Roach voluntarily surrendered to the authorities the next day.
His court appearance is pending, and the legal process will address the situation accordingly.
Man Shot and Injured while at Home with His Children in Annotto Bay, St Mary.
Shooting Incident Leaves Father Injured in St. Mary
The Annotto Bay Police in St Mary reported that on the night of Tuesday, July 16, 2024, a father was shot and injured by a gunman while at home with his children.
According to the authorities, at approximately 11:05 p.m., the 44-year-old victim and his children were at home when a gunman entered their residence and threatened them with a weapon.
A struggle ensued between the victim and the assailant. During the altercation, another man, believed to be an accomplice to the gunman, entered the house and struck the homeowner on the head.
The homeowner reportedly fell, and the gunman proceeded to shoot him in the left arm before fleeing the scene with his accomplice.
The police promptly responded to the situation and assisted the victim to the Annotto Bay hospital, where he received medical treatment.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and the police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.