UPDATE: INDECOM CHARGES THE 5 JCF MEMBERS IN RELATION TO ALPHA STUDENT SHOOTING INCIDENT
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) this morning charged the five (5) members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) attached to the Mobile Reserve Division who were arrested (July 4, 2016) in relation to the shooting injury of a Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha) student (June 30, 2016).
The charges are as follows:
Corporal Kirk Haye
1. Wounding with Intent
2. Breach of S. 33 of the INDECOM Act by:
•Failure to answer questions at an interview and
•Failure to furnish the Commission with statements.
Corporal Shawn Abrahams
Constable Warren Ramsay
Constable Damion Gillespie
Constable Archibald Wright
1. Misconduct in a Public Office
2. Breach of S. 33 of the INDECOM Act by:
•Failure to answer questions at an interview and
•Failure to furnish the Commission with statements.
The police officers were placed before Parish Judge Her Honour Ms. Simone Maddix at the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court today.
Court Results
Corporals Haye and Abrahams were represented by attorney at law, Peter Champanie; Constables Ramsay, Gillespie and Wright were represented by attorney at law, Althea Grant.
Bail applications were made on the police officers’ behalf and were granted. Corporal Abrahams, Constables Gillespie, Ramsay and Wright were all granted bail in the amount of $500k with 1-3 sureties; they are to surrender their travel documents; stop orders will be placed on them at all ports of entry and exit; they are to report to the nearest police stations to their permanent addresses on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The officers were ordered not to interfere with witnesses.
Corporal Haye was granted bail in the sum of $1m with 1-3 sureties. He is to surrender his travel documents; a stop order placed on him at all ports of entry and exit; he is to report to the nearest police station to his permanent address between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. He too was ordered not to interfere with witnesses.
The matter is set for mention on July 21, 2016.
Background
The Commission launched an investigation into the shooting injury of the female student following the incident on Thursday, June 30, 2016 following the incident which occurred at the intersection of North Street and Mark Lane at approximately 7:15 a.m. On even date, the student underwent emergency surgery at the Kingston Public Hospital. She is now recovering after being released from the Intensive Care Unit.
The report received by INDECOM was that a man who was operating a “robot” taxi transporting students of Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha) and St. Georges College, was allegedly stopped by the police. It was also alleged that after this taxi stopped, the police opened fire at the vehicle. One of the bullets hit one of the students in the head.
A team of INDECOM investigators and forensic examiners responded to the incident following the report. The incident scene and motor car were processed; and statements collected from eyewitnesses to the incident.
Five days after the incident, INDECOM took five (5) police officers attached to the Mobile Reserve Division of the JCF into custody in relation to the incident. The officers were interviewed and placed on ID Parades; the charges listed above were recommended based on information collected and reviewed during this investigation.
