Granville on edge after fatal police shooting as watchdogs probe killing

Granville, St. James, remained on edge Monday after Sunday’s fatal police shooting of resident Latoya Buljin, as calls for swift action and justice grew louder. Residents, including Brenda Brien, blocked roads in the area that morning, while firefighters extinguished several fires. Streets were largely empty of civilians, though police maintained a visible presence.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force said Buljin threatened officers and disobeyed lawful commands before a policeman shot her during an altercation. Officers had been responding to a protest linked to the police killing of a 17-year-old boy in the community a week earlier. Police said they were dispersing an unauthorised demonstration at Granville Square when Buljin’s vehicle blocked their path as it dropped off protesters. Checks showed the vehicle was unlicensed; an officer informed her it would be seized with the duty officer’s approval. Police said she became agitated, attempted to drive off while the constable stood in front of the vehicle, and moved toward the vehicle when told to stop. CCTV footage shows the officer firing into the vehicle. Buljin was removed from the driver’s seat, placed in a police pickup, taken to hospital, and pronounced dead.

The JCF high command said it was deeply concerned about the circumstances and reported the matter to the Independent Commission of Investigations and the Inspectorate of Professional Standards Oversight Bureau, which have opened full probes. The high command also ordered immediate action regarding the policeman involved.

In other crime news, Jerome Ellis, 30, also called Kino, of Baron Cassava Peace Road, was fatally shot about 11 p.m. when two masked men entered a bar; one ordered a drink before the other spoke briefly with Ellis. Gunfire followed and Ellis died at Kingston Public Hospital. Constant Spring police are investigating.

Dancehall producer Country Hype, whose given name is Yubert Dees, pleaded guilty in the United States on March 17 to smuggling goods and delivering a firearm to a common carrier without notice after a March 18, 2025, Kingston seizure of 24 handguns, six rifles, magazines, and ammunition. He admitted sewing guns into chair cushions shipped from Miami under the name Jimmy Roberts. Authorities linked him to gangs including the Taliban gang in central Kingston and the Diplomats gang in Manchester. He faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment and deportation.

A motorcyclist, Vali Thomas, 20, of Lilliput River District, Trelawny, died Saturday night after his motorcycle collided with a Toyota Probox on the main road near Christiana, Manchester. Four people were arrested in Rose Heights, Montego Bay, on May 17 after police found a 9mm submachine gun and ammunition during a warranted search. Ryan Paul, 20, of Georges Plain, Westmoreland, was charged after allegedly striking a woman with a stone and board on May 10, breaking her arm. In St. Elizabeth, police distributed 30 safety helmets at a junction as part of a road-safety push, noting six motorcyclist deaths on the parish’s roads so far in 2026.