INDECOM opens inquiry after man dies in Spanish Town police shooting

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) is examining a police shooting that left a man dead on St John's Road in Spanish Town, St Catherine, on Friday.

Authorities have not formally identified the deceased. They indicate he is thought to be Teja Adrian Thomas, also known as 'Siva', who lived at 31 St John's Road.

Police recounted that shortly after 4:15 p.m., officers from the St Catherine North Crime Branch responded to reports of armed men at a property. On getting there, they encountered three men, among them the man who later died. His two companions ran off.

The police account holds that the deceased fired at the officers first. The officers took cover and shot back. During the gun battle, a handgun slipped from the man and was recovered by police, they said.

He was taken to Spanish Town Hospital with injuries and was declared dead there.