There are conflicting stories surrounding an incident where a man was shot in the face by a cop. Reports are that he shoved and spit in the officer’s face. Persons who were close by questioned the actions of the policeman.

Man killed after allegedly attacking cop, spitting in his face

6 Feb 2023/Tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com

THE INDEPENDENT Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has launched a probe into the fatal shooting of a motorist who was killed on Windward Way in Kingston Sunday.

The man, whose identity was unknown up to press time, was shot following allegations that he shoved an officer and spat in his face when he intervened in a dispute between him and another motorist.

The fatal shooting was confirmed by INDECOM Assistant Commissioner Hamish Campbell.

The incident occurred within walking distance from where a church service was in session some time after 10 a.m. The man was reportedly shot in the face.

According to onlookers, the now-deceased man and another motorist had a confrontation when the cop, who was on his way from church, intervened and spoke to both individuals.

One motorist is said to have heeded the officer’s word and walked away while the other reportedly became aggressive.

“The police a talk to him and him a argue and push the officer and spit in his face, and the police shot him inna his face,” a woman who was seen at the scene claimed.

While not condoning the motorist’s alleged action, she and others questioned the cop’s actions.

“Why the police never shoot him inna him foot although him wrong fi spit pon him still?” she asked.

Another woman, who was waiting on a taxi to go to church, said: “Two wrong nuh make a right, and it easy fi say a soft answer turneth away wrath, but it no easy fi practise. Him wrong! Him nuh suppose to spit in a him face, but what is INDECOM going to be saying?”

But police on the scene told The Gleaner that there were several conflicting stories, including that the man in question assaulted the police and that he also tried to disarm the lawman.

However, they contend that the preliminary report indicated that the cop was walking away when the man reportedly went to his car and appeared to retrieve something before returning to confront the policeman and was shot.

According to the officers, only one shot was fired and one spent casing was recovered.

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