Spanish Town erupts - Alleged police shooting of 11-month-old sparks disorder
shardo said
17:03 03/07 2008
The fatal shooting of an 11-month-old infant allegedly by the police yesterday afternoon plunged sections of Spanish Town into chaos, as angry residents mounted roadblocks along the March Pen Road to protest against the killing.
According to reports reaching The Gleaner, about 4:00 p.m. yesterday a police party was in pursuit of a motor vehicle that was operating as a taxi in breach of its licence. The police reportedly opened fire on the vehicle as the driver tried to escape. When the smoke cleared, it was discovered that the infant, who was a passenger inside the vehicle, was hit in the head. He died on the spot.
As news of the child's death spread throughout the community, hundreds of residents took to the streets using fire, stones and other debris to block the Spanish Town bypass. This action resulted in traffic coming to a halt in some areas, while other drivers were forced to take other routes. Traffic piled up even where there were no physical blockages.
Commuters flee town
Up to late evening yesterday, hundreds of commuters were seen scurrying to get out of Spanish Town.
A strong detachment of police, drawn from Spanish Town and other stations,was seen in the area and the Bureau of Special Investigations has been called in to probe the matter.
The police have, however, given a different version of the incident. According to the official police report, policemen from the Island Special Constabulary Force spotted a vehicle and signalled the driver to stop.
The driver sped away and the police gave chase. They were subsequently fired on by the occupant/s of the vehicle they were chasing. They returned the fire and the infant was later discovered with gunshot wounds. The driver of the car fled the scene and is being sought by the police.
Crazypickney said
21:53 03/07 2008
ah boi, it never ends
blackspyda said
21:54 03/07 2008
boy mi tell yuh seh mi did fi go a class a lucky ting seh mi link dem call me and tell me cos spain did block off yesterday
Garrick said
20:03 03/08 2008
Nuh wonder ppl nuh like babylon
DJ Miggs said
20:12 03/08 2008
jah know police a wicked
Buddah said
21:30 03/09 2008
wow....cant even find words
AJ said
03:11 03/10 2008
a f**kery di police did a gwan wid - a shoot afta taxi man den him bike drop inna ditch and di poor baby feel it -- jah kno star
dj stupendos said
10:37 03/10 2008
only God know wey da lady deh a go through rasta dem police yah too craven dem neva get pay month end,jah know mommy me no know wha fi say,get a good lawyer a sue every m....f..kin ting in a government and den sue di police man him self.
shamar said
10:38 03/10 2008
so sick
\
up2 said
10:47 03/10 2008
yow mi nah lie it hurt mi.
mi have family n frens who run taxi n fi kno seh police a shoot offa dem jus so fi nutten nuh mek no sense n will only lead to warrrr
now as fi d likkle yute...its jus sad, the baby innocent and nuh get nuh chance fi live nuh life.
jus terrible
The fatal shooting of an 11-month-old infant allegedly by the police yesterday afternoon plunged sections of Spanish Town into chaos, as angry residents mounted roadblocks along the March Pen Road to protest against the killing.
According to reports reaching The Gleaner, about 4:00 p.m. yesterday a police party was in pursuit of a motor vehicle that was operating as a taxi in breach of its licence. The police reportedly opened fire on the vehicle as the driver tried to escape. When the smoke cleared, it was discovered that the infant, who was a passenger inside the vehicle, was hit in the head. He died on the spot.
As news of the child's death spread throughout the community, hundreds of residents took to the streets using fire, stones and other debris to block the Spanish Town bypass. This action resulted in traffic coming to a halt in some areas, while other drivers were forced to take other routes. Traffic piled up even where there were no physical blockages.
Commuters flee town
Up to late evening yesterday, hundreds of commuters were seen scurrying to get out of Spanish Town.
A strong detachment of police, drawn from Spanish Town and other stations,was seen in the area and the Bureau of Special Investigations has been called in to probe the matter.
The police have, however, given a different version of the incident. According to the official police report, policemen from the Island Special Constabulary Force spotted a vehicle and signalled the driver to stop.
The driver sped away and the police gave chase. They were subsequently fired on by the occupant/s of the vehicle they were chasing. They returned the fire and the infant was later discovered with gunshot wounds. The driver of the car fled the scene and is being sought by the police.