JCF interdicts officer after Granville fatal shooting as INDECOM and protests intensify

The Jamaica Constabulary Force has ordered the interdiction of a policeman after Sunday’s fatal shooting in Granville, St. James, citing preliminary CCTV evidence. The high command said conduct outside the law or professional standards will not be tolerated, that the matter remains under active investigation, and that it is committed to accountability, transparency, and public trust. The Independent Commission of Investigations and the police leadership have also launched full inquiries.

Residents say officers had no justification to open fire on a woman who died behind the wheel of her vehicle. Locals identified her as Latoya Bullgin, also known as Bujju, who was shot while seated in the driver’s seat of a black van. The killing landed as protesters prepared to move from Granville Square toward Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, continuing demands for justice two weeks after police fatally shot a teenager on Mother’s Day.

St. James police had recently reported rising violence against women in the parish. Community members warned that repeated deadly incidents could erode public support for law enforcement. Member of Parliament Marlene Malahoo Forte, who visited the area, said emotions remain raw after the earlier shooting and urged authorities to preserve life, stand firmly on the rule of law, and act swiftly once footage is reviewed to rebuild trust.

INDECOM said it was notified immediately and responded amid viral CCTV clips of parts of the encounter. The commission said video evidence is increasingly important in assessing whether force was necessary and asked witnesses, including anyone travelling in the woman’s vehicle, to come forward with information or additional recordings. Jamaicans for Justice renewed calls for wider use of body-worn cameras and raised concerns that the response may have been disproportionate, while questioning how the scene was processed after the shooting.

Separately, Finance Minister Fayval Williams and Transport Minister Daryl Vaz met transport operators and the Transport Authority at the Half-Way-Tree transport centre as groups pressed for a long-awaited fare increase linked to higher fuel costs. Vaz urged calm while officials seek a balanced outcome for commuters and operators.

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation continued removing illegal billboards in Half-Way-Tree on Sunday, following controversy over a recent billboard in Rockfort. Chief executive Robert Hill said compliance has improved but enforcement continues after a public-education drive from January to March.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding accused the government of mismanaging Hurricane Melissa relief funds after the Auditor General’s report, saying ODPEM received J$1.44 billion in cash by 23 February 2026 but had spent only J$26 million—less than two percent—five months after the storm. Golding said hard-hit communities in parishes such as Portland and St. Thomas still face hardship.

The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern. Broadcast reports cited roughly 246 cases and eight deaths, while international coverage noted a higher toll and concern over spread toward Goma.

Cabinet has approved work on a ride-hailing policy, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said earlier this month, but opposition spokesman Mikael Phillips argued the pace is too slow. Road safety expert Canute Hare said regulation is needed and stressed safe driving, proper crash investigation, and use of vehicle event data where collisions occur.