Update: Slain District Constable Lewis 56, Found Dead In Car … St. Elizabeth, Ja. W.I. … Firearm Missing?
11: 32 PM: Vision Jamaica Bureau is reporting that crime in the St. Elizabeth Police Division is down 47 percent.
Superintendent Lanford Salmon is reporting that: “The latest District Constable (Rural Police) shot dead was shot 2 AM Monday Morning in his car. It was 41/2 hours after shooting that a report was made to the Police. Lewis was a 21 year veteran who was also stationed at Santa Cruz Police Station.
The motive appears to be the slain cop’s firearm.
Despite this dastardly act there has been a 47 percent drop in all crimes when compared with the corresponding period 2015 in the St. Elizabeth Police Division.” The Superintendent asserts. “The length of time it took to report the shooting is distressing” Salmon bemoaned.
Commentary
We regret the loss of life and wonder why this slain officer was In his car at 2 AM … was he asleep? Was he alone? Details are sketchy and we await investigation. There are more questions than answers. We have since learnt that someone, a male, is being questioned but is not described as a “suspect” at this time.
Police need to be more on guard, based on the apparent prevailing appetite for guns.
Attacks on agents of the State are to be frowned on by all.
Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.