Four men killed in St. James police operation as residents reject firearm claims

Four men were shot dead by police during an operation in Retirement, St. James, early Wednesday morning, prompting anger from residents who insisted the deceased were not criminals. The incident happened on June 10 and pushed the number of fatal shootings reported across Jamaica in 24 hours to 11.

Among those killed were a 57-year-old man and his son, both from Retirement. The other two men were said to be from Kingston and Green Pond in St. James. TVJ News reported that all four worked at the landfill.

Residents gathered in the community after the shooting, calling for justice. One elderly woman said her grandson was among the dead and cried that he and his father had been killed without reason. Other residents also rejected the police account, saying the men should not have been killed.

Police said two illegal firearms were recovered at the scene. However, residents disputed that claim, arguing that the weapons did not belong to the men who were killed.

In a separate policing update, Assistant Commissioner of Police Howard Chambers said the One Dream strategy is being implemented across Area Five as the Jamaica Constabulary Force works to strengthen unified command and sustain crime reduction. Chambers said the approach is not limited to yearly targets, but is meant to build a shared effort across ranks and divisions.

Elsewhere, the Auditor General criticised the National Water Commission’s handling of major water and sewerage capital projects. An audit covering 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 found that the NWC budgeted nearly $45 billion but underspent in four of the five years reviewed, delayed many projects, lacked a clear prioritisation system and fell behind on audited financial statements for four straight years. The NWC accepted 10 recommendations.

Opposition tourism spokesperson Andrea Perkins also used her first sectoral debate presentation to accuse the tourism sector of favouring foreign workers for senior posts while Jamaican professionals train them and earn less. She also questioned delays in assistance for hotel workers affected by Hurricane Melissa.