KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) says it is probing three fatal shooting incidents which occurred between Wednesday and Thursday, resulting in the deaths of four men.
In the first incident, two men were shot and killed on Wednesday in St Catherine. They have been identified as Malachi McLean and 24-year-old Nickoy Nelson.
In the latest incidents, on Thursday, a man was fatally shot in Old Harbour, St Catherine and another was shot and killed in Hungry Town, Mannings Hill, St Andrew. The deceased in those incidents have not yet been identified.
Indecom says the latest shooting incidents increase the total to 230 people who have been fatally shot by the security forces so far this year, of which 20 occurred in September.
This represents the 10th consecutive month where 20 or more individuals have been shot and killed by the security forces. As of September 24, 2024, 131 individuals had been fatally shot by the security forces.
This corresponds to a 76 per cent surge in the total number of persons who have been shot and killed by state agents.
Indecom says at least two of the three incidents have been confirmed as arising from a planned police operation. Year to date, 118 people have been killed in a planned operation. Additionally, no body-worn camera was reported as being worn by any of the concerned officers in any of the three incidents.
One firearm was reportedly recovered by the police in each of the incidents.
Indecom says all evidential material will be recovered, processed and packaged. The hands of the deceased will be swabbed for gunshot residue, and their bodies photographed and sealed, pending post-mortem examination.
The concerned officers were also reportedly served with Section 21 Notices, pursuant to the Independent Commission of Investigations Act, 2010, to submit statements and attend interviews.