Golding presses Chuck to clarify remarks on police use of deadly force

Opposition Leader Mark Golding has called on Justice Minister Delroy Chuck to clarify or withdraw remarks suggesting that police may lawfully use deadly force against a fleeing suspect. Speaking in Trelawny last month, Chuck said common law grants officers broad authority to apprehend suspects and that reasonable force may, in some circumstances, include lethal force. Golding described the position as deeply troubling.

"Whatever the common law position may have been the Charter of Rights enacted in 2011 creates the right to life as a supreme law in our constitution," Golding said. "And any attempt to rely on old common law rules to justify the killing of another person in circumstances where your life is not at risk or the life of some other person that you're seeking to save was not at risk cannot be justified." He said Jamaicans expect the justice minister to defend human and constitutional rights, not to signal wider use of deadly force at a time when police powers are already under scrutiny.

In Kingston, detectives are investigating a Sunday evening shooting at a bar at 1B Upper Elletson Road that left 22-year-old Terry Williamson, also known as Travon, of Victoria Avenue, Kingston 16, dead. A 47-year-old man was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the arm. Police said a man wearing a balaclava entered around 9:10 p.m. and opened fire on Williamson before escaping in a waiting motor car. The motive remains under investigation, and officers noted the area continues to face recurring violent crime.

Ascot High School in St. Catherine suspended classes on Monday as staff processed the killing of physical education teacher Rochen Beckford, 35, who was shot in March Pen on Friday. Principal Chanel Talbot said Beckford, who taught at the school for more than 15 years, was attacked under the guise that someone needed his help. The incident is believed linked to ongoing tension in sections of the community. Grief counselling is being offered to staff and will be extended to students.

"We are very shocked and disappointed and hurt," Talbot said. "We will work together to process these difficulties and, with God's help, we will get to some semblance of normalcy sometime in the future. We have not allowed the students to come today as we are processing with the staff first."

Fishermen in Rocky Point, Clarendon, are appealing to the government for help replacing boats and engines destroyed on Saturday when high tides and strong winds struck the seaside community. Residents estimate at least 17 boats and nine engines were lost, and several shops were damaged. Fisherman Glenroy Samuels said the sudden weather event was unlike anything the community had experienced, even during hurricanes.

In Effortville, Clarendon, a policeman escaped serious injury on Friday when a bullet struck his protective vest during an armed confrontation. The officer, part of the Area 3 Anti-Fugitive Apprehension Team, was taken to hospital and remains in stable condition. Police said 23-year-old Oneil Hamilton, also called AJ or Putty, a labourer of Oliver Gardens, May Pen, was fatally shot during the exchange. A firearm was recovered. Investigators linked Hamilton to criminal activity across Area 3, including a bar robbery along Suel Crescent in May Pen earlier that Friday.