Body-worn camera records Salt Spring police shooting as officers hunt reputed gang leader in Kingston

A tense encounter in Salt Spring, St. James, that ended with police shooting and injuring a man on Thursday was recorded on an officer's body-worn camera, sources have disclosed. The footage will not be released while the matter remains under review, and the Independent Commission of Investigations has opened a probe.

Witnesses said the incident began shortly after 1 p.m., when a man believed to be experiencing mental health difficulties, carrying a knife, threatened passers-by, hurled bottles and alarmed residents in an area where children were present. Officers dispatched to the scene said they repeatedly ordered him to put down the weapon and sought assistance from community mental health personnel, but those efforts failed. Police report that the man refused to comply, threatened the officers and moved toward one of them with the knife. An officer then fired, wounding him. He was later disarmed and taken to hospital for treatment. His condition has not been made public. A knife was recovered at the scene.

In a separate case, St. Andrew South police launched a manhunt Tuesday morning for a group of men that includes Cheyenne Williamson, also known as Ryan, a reputed gang leader named as a person of interest after a shooting and arson in the division. The violence unfolded about 4:00 a.m. along Espit Avenue, Kingston 13, leaving a 31-year-old resident hospitalized with gunshot injuries. Investigators said the matter reportedly grew out of a family dispute.

The complainant was at his girlfriend's home on Mary Avenue when he learned his mother's house was on fire and went to investigate. He arrived to find the property ablaze, leading to a heated argument with a relative. The suspect and his associates left the scene and later returned and opened fire on his cousin, police allege. The wounded man sustained multiple bullet wounds and was rushed to hospital by relatives. Assistant Commissioner Michael Fibs, head of the Area Four police, said Williamson was given until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday to surrender, and officers have mounted operations to capture him and his associates.

Tension remains in Nagagohead, Portmore, after a Sunday attack linked by police to a gang feud over turf control killed two young delivery workers and injured a pregnant woman. Those killed were identified as 17-year-old Kenri Ibangs, otherwise called Welter Stunt, and 20-year-old Michael Elliot Jr., also known as Bull. Both worked at Southern Crave and were from Portmore addresses. A 48-hour curfew took effect Sunday as security forces carried out targeted operations.

In Portland, motorist Ali Walters was fined $50,000 on Tuesday after pleading guilty to offering a $5,000 bribe to a police officer on May 22, 2026, while being charged for a traffic offence on West Street in Port Antonio. He appeared before Senior Judge Jacqueline Wilcott and was sentenced under the Corruption Prevention Act, section 142, to pay the fine or serve 20 days' hard labour. He paid the sum.

Nurses at the University Hospital of the West Indies reported for duty Tuesday morning but refused regular assignments, staging a protest over staffing shortages, inadequate equipment and strained working conditions. "Legally, it is not right. You cannot have one nurse to 20 patient," one nurse said, describing severe pressure in the accident and emergency department.

Police in eastern Portland also detained 27 Haitian nationals between Monday morning and Monday afternoon following landings off the coast near Snow Hill and Paci Gardens. An initial group of 10 adult males, four adult females and two children was picked up on a beach and taken to the Port Antonio police station for screening and medical checks. Later that afternoon, acting on intelligence, officers found an additional 11 males on property linked to the College of Agriculture, Science and Education.