Three policemen were today charged with the murder of Agricola youth, Shaquille Grant but only one appeared in court.
Police Constable Terrence Wallace #14073 was not required to plead to the indictable charge and hid his face under clothing as he was leaving court. Also charged were Lance Corporal #18699 Warren Blue and Special Constable #14071 Jamal Lewis. They did not appear in court and arrest warrants were issued for them.
Wallace was remanded to prison after he was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
The charges came three weeks after the shooting that enraged the public and amid concerns about police excesses.
The prosecution’s facts stated that on September 11, in Agricola, around 12:10 pm, Wallace and two other officers were on patrol when they observed that there were some young men under a shed and approached the men and shot Grant.
The police had issued a statement after the shooting saying that police officers were carrying out an operation in the community when they received reports that there was a gang planning to commit a crime.
It was further alleged that when they arrived in Third Street, one of the members of the gang opened fire which resulted in the police exchanging rounds leading to Grant being shot.
This account had been vehemently denied by members of the community. Witnesses said that Grant had been shot for no reason. He sustained three gunshot wounds.
