By John Myers, Jr. Staff ReporterCORPORAL PAUL McDonald, 43, became the first policeman to be killed this year when he was shot by a gunman in May Pen, Clarendon on Saturday.
The 43-year-old lawman, who was attached to the May Pen Police Station, was shot dead at a bar on Williams Street about 8:15 p.m. Reports are that Corporal McDonald was speaking on his cellular phone when a lone gunman armed with a hand gun entered the premises and opened fire hitting the policeman twice in the chest and once in the back.
McDonald was taken to the May Pen Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The police later recovered three .38 spent shells.
Superintendent in charge of Clarendon, Warren Clarke, told The Gleaner that the suspected shooter, who is from the May Pen area, has been detained and is being questioned. There was no immediate word on the motive for the killing.
His widow Merryl McDonald, speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, said her first moment of real shock came when she heard on a news broadcast that a Corporal McDonald was shot. "Soon after my younger son came and said dem shot daddy."
In their moment of grief, Mrs McDonald said the family was getting support from relatives and the police. McDonald had three children two boys, ages 19 and 22, and a girl, 23.
Police Commissioner Francis Forbes in reaction to the news, said "This dastardly behaviour must not be allowed to go unpunished," even as he encouraged members of the Force not to "lose heart but to continue the fight to make Jamaica a safe place for all."
He also warned members of the police force to be more discriminating in choosing the places where they socialise.
The Police Federation has posted a million-dollar reward for information that leads to the arrest of the shooter.
