Police shootings, domestic violence cases and gun smuggling plea dominate Jamaica crime report

Police are probing several major incidents across Jamaica, including a fatal police shooting in Kingston, a suspected domestic killing in Westmoreland, the discovery of a wanted contractor’s body in St. Mary, and public anger over how officers handled a wounded woman in St. James.

In Kingston, an unidentified man was shot by police on Princess Street on Wednesday afternoon during what officers described as a confrontation. The incident reportedly happened about 4:30 p.m. at premises near Charles Street. Police from the Kingston Western division said the man had a suspicious bulge at his waist, ran onto a property when approached, and fired at them. Officers returned fire, recovered a gun, and the man was later pronounced dead at hospital.

In St. Mary, police said 43-year-old contractor Oneil Roberts, also called Anif, was wanted for questioning over an alleged machete attack on his child’s mother after she reportedly ended their relationship. Roberts, of Comfort district in Highgate, was found Wednesday in a semi-decomposed condition behind his house. Investigators said the woman’s mother was also hurt when she intervened, and both women were treated at hospital.

In Retreat, Westmoreland, police sources believe an interpersonal dispute may have led to the killing of Delroy Holness, a labourer and backhoe operator said to be in his 40s. His head was found partially severed from his body after he was attacked at home early Wednesday. Two children who were inside the house were reportedly covered and placed under a bed before one raised an alarm at daybreak. Police said the Negril and Little London zone has recorded declines in major crimes this year.

The report also highlighted the US case involving dancehall producer Country Hype, whose given name was reported as Tajayou Birthwrights. He has pleaded guilty to smuggling goods from the United States and delivering a firearm to a carrier without written notice, in relation to 24 handguns, six rifles, 32 magazines and 102 rounds of ammunition intercepted at the Port of Kingston in March 2026. Prosecutors have agreed to seek leniency, while his defence wants no more than 36 months. A JCF corporal, Jason Bennett, was among nine people who submitted character letters.

In Granville, St. James, outrage continued after CCTV showed Latoya Bulgin, also known as Buju 45, being dragged from a vehicle after she was shot in the chest by police. A senior officer said police often make urgent transport decisions because only doctors can confirm death. INDECOM said it was processing the matter, while Jamaicans for Justice called for clarity on JCF policy for handling wounded civilians.