Cop's death a mystery

Nedburn Thaffe, Gleaner Writer

Investigators at the Ewarton Police Station in St Catherine are still trying to figure out the circumstances which led to the shooting death of one of their colleagues moments before midday on Saturday.

Special Constable Mickhail Hogarth, 20, who was assigned to Harman Barracks, was shot dead at his home at Braham Road in the parish. His female companion has since been taken into custody.

However, up to press time yesterday, the woman, who was still in custody, had not been charged.

Inspector Steve Brown, head of the Constabulary Communication Network, told The Gleaner yesterday that the police had been unable to determine a motive for the shooting. Brown was also unable to say whether any charges would be laid against the woman in custody, or if she was being treated as a suspect.

"I am unable to say what the investigators are looking at right now," he said.

According to a report issued by the police, about 11:50 a.m., Hogarth and a female companion were at home when explosions were heard. It was later discovered that he had been shot. He was taken to the Linstead Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.

The shooting death of the young constable on Saturday brings to 11 the number of police personnel killed since the start of the year.

Just yesterday, police personnel were busy attending the funeralof Special Corporal Jermaine Cummings, who was gunned down at his home in Rollington Town, Kingston, on August 1.