(Jamaica Gleaner) The Independent Commission of Investigations has launched a probe into the 24th shooting death for this month following the killing of a woman in Cassava Piece, St Andrew on Friday.
Forty-five-year-old Dianne Gordon was reportedly killed in an incident involving the police on Constant Spring Road. The police say they were attempting to apprehend gunmen based on information received, when they were fired upon. But eyewitnesses have disputed that report.
Gordon lived with her husband, Hugh Collins, and two daughters. She was returning from a wake in the community where she had brought rum for the mourners. At least one bullet hit her in the head.
The residents’ main concern is now for Gordon’s younger daughter, who is scheduled to sit the Grade Six Achievement Test next week. They are certain she will not be able to cope.
Collins could barely explain what he knew. He was also at the wake but left about midnight.
“Mi leave before har and come in a watch TV and mi hear di gunshot dem. A when mi come outside, mi see seh a she,” he said, leaning against a fence for support.
Investigators from INDECOM were on the scene at approximately 3:30 am, according to Senior Public Relations Officer Kahmile Reid. She said all nine policemen who were allegedly involved in the incident were from the Constant Spring Police Station. Reid said the police’s account of the incident was that they were greeted by gunfire when they entered the community. The police said they were acting on information that gunmen were in the area.
But residents are refuting claims of a shoot-out. They say the wake was for a 13-year-old, and that the lawmen fired aimlessly, picking up their spent shells after.
“All three shot ketch inna di bicycle a di front a di yard. A di fuss mi eva see dat,” said one man. Reid confirmed that the policemen’s hands have also been swabbed.
“We have notified them that they need to come in to INDECOM or we go wherever they are to take their respective statements,” said Reid.
INDECOM says Gordon’s killing is the 24th shooting death by the police that the commission is investigating for March.
Residents say Gordon was a quiet woman who merely went to work and then back home.
Police chaplain Assistant Commissioner of Police Gary Welsh was on hand trying to calm residents. Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for North Central St Andrew Karl Samuda charged that the police should have been more careful.
“The firing of high-powered weapons at close range in these communities is absolute madness. It seems, unfortunately, that this is a pattern of behaviour that has emerged,” he said, referring to recent shooting incidents involving the police. He questioned the methods and training of the lawmen and vowed to follow the case through to its end.
“Unless the police have hard, cold evidence as to the reason they discharged their weapons, then the full weight of the law must be brought to bear on them. I won’t rest until I get a full explanation on this. A full, detailed report has to be presented. It will not be forgotten,” he said.
