McCooks Pen resident shot and killed by police shortly after voting in election
Published:Wednesday | September 3, 2025 | 5:40 PM
Election day in St Catherine was marred by a fatal police shooting in McCooks Pen that has sparked controversy and community outrage.
The deceased has been identified as 32-year-old Fabian Brown, a resident of McCooks Pen and an employee of Jamaica Broilers.
According to police reports, the incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday while officers were patrolling the community, where several polling stations were in operation.
Lawmen say they came under heavy gunfire from armed men, triggering a running gun battle. During the exchange, one man was shot and wounded. He was later pronounced dead at hospital. The police also reported that a firearm was recovered at the scene.
However, residents of McCooks Pen are disputing the official version of events. They insist that Brown was not involved in any shootout.
Instead, they claim he had just returned home from work, cast his ballot at a nearby polling station, and was preparing to celebrate the close of polls with neighbours under a tree where cooking was taking place.
Community members allege that heavily armed police personnel suddenly stormed the area and began firing indiscriminately.
They say Brown, along with several others, attempted to run for cover. While fleeing, Brown was reportedly shot in the leg and collapsed.
Eyewitnesses further allege that a cop then caught up with him and fired several additional rounds into his body.
Residents described Brown as a hardworking man and strongly rejected the police’s claim that a weapon was recovered from him.
The shooting has left the community tense, even as electoral activities continued in the wider Spanish Town area throughout the day.
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) is probing the killing of Brown.
- Ruddy Mathison
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