ST JAMES, Jamaica: Salt Spring Police Shooting — A man was shot and injured by police during a tense confrontation in Salt Spring, St James, on Thursday afternoon after allegedly advancing toward an officer with a knife.
The incident occurred shortly after 1:00 p.m. along Salt Spring Main Road, according to residents and police sources.
Reports indicate that the man, who is believed to have been experiencing mental health challenges, was armed with a knife and was allegedly threatening passers-by, throwing bottles, and creating fear among residents in an area where children were present.
Police personnel were reportedly dispatched after residents alerted authorities to the situation. Upon arriving at the scene, officers observed the man armed with the weapon and repeatedly instructed him to drop it.
Sources say attempts were made to obtain assistance from community mental health personnel; however, those efforts were unsuccessful.
Witnesses who observed the encounter stated that officers appeared to be attempting to de-escalate the situation. However, police report that the man refused to comply with their commands, threatened the officers, and advanced toward one of them while brandishing the knife.
An officer subsequently discharged his firearm, striking and injuring the man.
The suspect was later disarmed and transported to hospital, where he remains under medical care. His condition has not been disclosed.
The knife was recovered at the scene.
Sources confirmed that the incident was captured on body-worn cameras. However, the footage will not be released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.
As is standard procedure in police-involved shootings, the matter has been referred to the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), which has launched a probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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