Early Saturday morning, August 15, law enforcement from the Manchester Division responded to the scene of a possibly road rage altercation involving two police officers. This unfortunate incident resulted in one officer sustaining a minor gunshot injury, according to police sources.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that two corporals were traveling in separate vehicles when the incident occurred on the Spur Tree Hill main road at around 12:30 a.m.
One officer is assigned to the Manchester Division, while the other is assigned to the Westmoreland Division.
Reports suggest that the officer from the Manchester Division was driving along the Spur Tree Hill main road. Upon reaching a section near the Eglington district, a car overtook a line of traffic and stopped beside his vehicle.
The Manchester officer reportedly questioned the driver, who allegedly pulled out a firearm and opened fire, causing a graze wound to the officer’s forehead. A female companion traveling with the Westmoreland escaped injury.
A police report identified the driver of the second car as a detective corporal assigned to the Westmoreland Division. His account of the incident conflicted with that of the Manchester officer.
This possibly road rage incident could have been worst.
The Westmoreland detective corporal claimed that the driver of the other car overtook his vehicle before pulling to the left side of the roadway.
As a result, he (the Westmoreland cop) overtook the other car and overheard the driver directing expletives at him with what appeared to be a gun in his hand.
Fearing for his life, the Westmoreland officer took evasive action and fired five rounds at the other vehicle before driving to St. Elizabeth, where he reported the incident at the Nain Police Station. The discharge of five consecutive rounds from his service pistol during a traffic encounter suggests a case of road rage.
Therefore, this possibly road-rage incident is likely to trigger investigations by both the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) and the police standards oversight unit. INDECOM is the body responsible by law to oversee the actions of the security forces and correctional officers.