Teen charged after alleged rampage in Oracabessa — cop, cabbie among targets

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 17-year-old is facing several charges after he allegedly injured a man in a gun attack before shooting at a policeman in Oracabessa, St Mary, earlier this month.

Reports from the Port Maria Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) are that about 10:30 pm, the teen allegedly went to the home of a man with whom he had an ongoing feud.

During the visit, an argument escalated into a physical confrontation, during which, it is alleged, the teen withdrew a firearm from his waistband, pointed it at the man, and opened fire, hitting him in the arm.

An off-duty policeman reportedly intervened to defuse the situation, but the teen allegedly pointed the firearm at the cop and fired several shots in the lawman’s direction.

Fearing for his life, the cop reportedly returned fire at the teen, who then allegedly made his escape in a Toyota Probox after ordering the driver, at gunpoint, to take him to another location.

Sometime afterwards, the teen turned up at hospital suffering from gunshot wounds to the abdomen. He was treated and released into police custody.

Following a question-and-answer session conducted in the presence of his attorney, the teen was charged with wounding with intent with the use of a firearm (two counts), possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorised possession of ammunition, shooting with intent, using a firearm to commit a felony, unlawful detention, assault at common law (two counts), using a firearm to commit a first schedule offence, and being a part of a criminal organisation.