Probe launched into suspected ‘gun salute’ at cop’s nine-night

COMMANDING officer of the St Catherine North Police Division Senior Superintendent Hopton Nicholson has confirmed that an investigation has been launched into what is believed to be a sustained gun salute at the nine-night held for a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) who crashed and died while driving a motorcycle on Monday, June 1.

The nine-night — which is held to mark the ninth day of a person’s death — was reportedly being held at the Ewarton, St Catherine, home of late police constable Shanki Gordon, who was said to have been attached to the St Catherine North operations team.

Reports reaching the Jamaica Observer are that there was sustained gunfire for almost 15 minutes as people launched the proverbial gun salute in honour of the fallen cop.

Snippets of the prolonged gunfire were captured in videos which have gone viral on social media.

In one video a male, in what appeared to be police denim, was seen with a rifle pointed in the air while close to him a man with a gun was firing sporadically as the dancehall anthem Real Killer (RIP) from Aidonia played.

“Some investigation is going on. I am aware of some allegations in that regard. I was told that it was not at the premises [where the nine night was held]. It was close to the premises of where the nine night was being held for the policeman,” Nicholson told the Observer on Thursday.

“I don’t have a [personal] stance on it. The law is the law. It is illegal. It is not my stance and I obey the law. An investigation has started. As I said, the law is the law. There is no if, but, or maybe, about the law. The law is the law,” declared Nicholson.

It was reported that about 2:00 am on June 1 Gordon was driving an unlicensed motorcycle in Ewarton when it crashed into another vehicle.

Gordon suffered major injuries from the impact and was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Following his death Gordon was described by Nicholson as a hard-working and rounded officer.

Nicholson said then that Gordon was an energetic individual who went beyond the call of duty to get the job done.

He also described Gordon as a jovial person who had the ability to create laughter on any subject and he would be sadly missed.