INDECOM probes police gunfire after teen dies at unlicensed Kingston party

The Independent Commission of Investigations has launched a probe into the death of 17-year-old Kimar Smith of Lison, Spanish Town, St. Catherine, who was fatally shot during an alleged exchange of gunfire between police and armed men in Cogburn Gardens, Kingston 11, early Saturday morning.

Residents say shooting erupted after officers entered the community shortly after 4:30 a.m. to shut down a party held without a permit. The Jamaica Constabulary Force said officers had cordoned off sections of the area so patrons could be searched before leaving. Several men tried to flee by jumping a perimeter wall, and police reported seeing about three men on the roof of a nearby premises. One of the men opened fire at the officers, who returned fire before the suspects fled.

When the gunfire subsided, Smith was found with gunshot wounds. He was taken for medical treatment but pronounced dead at hospital. It remains unclear who fired the shot or shots that killed him. Investigators reportedly followed a bloody trail to York Avenue, where the teenager was later found. Police also seized a semi-automatic pistol fitted with a magazine containing several rounds of ammunition, but have not indicated whether the firearm was linked to the deceased.

INDECOM said it commenced an independent investigation because members of the security forces discharged their firearms during the incident. The officers involved are expected to provide statements to commission investigators later this week. As of July 6, INDECOM's latest figures show that 160 people had died this year in incidents involving members of the security forces. Between 2024 and 2026, 66 members of the security forces have been charged following INDECOM investigations, and the Director of Public Prosecutions ruled in favour of criminal charges in 57 cases arising from commission probes conducted between 2024 and 2025.

At St. James High School in Montego Bay, the community is mourning senior teacher Sheldon Johnson, 46, who collapsed and died on Monday. Johnson, a native of Giltown, Clarendon, taught physics and computer technology and had been employed at the school since 2018. Principal Joseph Williams described his death as a tragedy, noting that Johnson was the school's primary computer repair expert and maintained its internet service. Johnson had no known illness and had not yet been approved for vacation as of September 1.

He reportedly collapsed shortly after taking part in a meeting at the school with an official from the Ministry of Education's Region 4 office. Johnson and another teacher then went to a gas station at West Gate in Montego Bay, where he collapsed. He was rushed to Cornwall Regional Hospital and pronounced dead. An anonymous staff member said Johnson was vibrant and would be missed. "Mr. Johnson was a brilliant man, an excellent teacher and he was full of life and fun and was very caring and easygoing," the teacher said. Regional director Dr. Michelle Pinoch expressed sadness at his passing and extended condolences to the school family.

At the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court, Judge Peter Wilson warned former Caribbean Maritime University employee Kevin Panton to repay the remaining $1,149,500 of allegedly missing funds after he had returned $552,500 of $1.7 million. Panton, who faces 84 criminal charges, is accused of collecting tuition and other fees, falsifying accounts and pocketing the money. Defence attorney Peter Marston argued the partial repayment demonstrated good faith and was not an admission of guilt, but Wilson was unconvinced. "So try coming with the rest," the judge said, adding: "The moment the money dry up, you have to go deal with me. and I know you don't want to deal with me."

Panton, arrested last month, is charged with 14 counts each of embezzlement, engaging in a transaction involving criminal property, possession of criminal property, facilitating a transaction involving criminal property, falsification of accounts, and conspiracy to defraud. Wilson varied his bail to require surrender of his passport — which the defence disclosed had expired — reporting twice weekly to the Ellison Road police station, no contact with witnesses, and compliance with a fingerprint order. The matter was adjourned to November 5. The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Financial Investigations Division and the Jamaica Constabulary Force Financial Unit after CMU leadership reported concerns. Investigators alleged that an internal probe uncovered missing manual receipt books and broken receipt sequences. The FID said concerns first emerged in November 2024 when a reconciliation during a period of system downtime revealed $970,000 had not been lodged; those funds were later returned, but the circumstances were inconsistent with established cash-handling procedures. Further irregularities allegedly surfaced during the January 2026 examination period. Panton and another employee were suspended in January 2026 before the matter was referred for criminal investigation.