Kingston man acquitted after identification gaps in gun case

A Kingston man was cleared in the Gun Court on Friday of wounding with intent and firearm-related offences after the complainant acknowledged that he could not identify the person accused of attacking him.

Avanasha Bryan had been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorised possession of ammunition, and wounding with intent. The case ended after the complainant, while being cross-examined by attorney-at-law Sheldon Campbell, accepted that he could not clearly say who had shot him.

Campbell argued that the Crown’s factual witness had not identified Bryan and that his client should therefore be released from the case. The judge agreed with the submission and found Bryan not guilty on all charges.

Prosecutors had alleged that about 8 p.m. on December 11, 2023, the complainant was close to his gate on Third Street in Kingston when Bryan and another man confronted him. The complainant reported seeing a flash from a silver-coloured firearm before running away, hearing loud blasts, and blacking out.

He later said he regained consciousness at Kingston Public Hospital, where medical checks showed gunshot injuries to his back, foot, and buttocks. The incident was reported to the police, whose investigation resulted in Bryan being arrested and charged.