Park Lane residents cry foul after cops kill teen

St Andrew North Central Member of Parliament Karl Samuda appeared shocked when he arrived on the scene of yesterday’s fatal police shooting in Park Lane, openly commenting that the community had been relatively calm in recent months.

Lee Clarke, who has served for more than 40 years as councillor for the Whitehall division, in which Park Lane falls, shared Samuda’s sentiment.

Both men were on the ground yesterday morning, meeting with residents who were upset at the killing of Jevaughn ‘Lucky’ Heat at the hands of the police.

“The community been calm,” Samuda said, in earshot of The Gleaner.

Reports are that, about 8:40 a.m., a police team went to a house on Flourgon Way and, on arrival, explosions were heard.

The police said a firearm was seized from the now deceased.

The St Andrew North police were carrying out a series of operations on Monday across sections of the division.

Residents of Park Lane however disputed the police account that Heat had a firearm, telling The Gleaner that he was sleeping in his house, a residence known to law enforcement.

“Him nuh wanted ... . Him nuh deh pon no list. We see the police dem group up and a say a di wrong person dem kill. A three shot fire. Look how the place a run calm and alright,” a resident said.

The residents staged a small protest, blocking sections of the community, however that was short-lived as the police quickly cleared the roadway.

“If yuh find him with anything, carry him in. Him never have nothing. Him go out last night and we talk to him inna di morning and him say him a go sleep and go in. Justice have to come out of this ya one. Di police a go say him kill dat and wrap dat up already,” another resident said.

The residents complained about the possibility of police tampering with evidence at the scene.

“INDECOM (Independent Commission of Investigations) say the police not to move the dead body and tamper with the scene. Dem do weh dem do and for two hours dem alone access the premises before INDECOM reach,” a resident of Park Lane said.

“A better dem did wait ‘til something a gwan fi try something like that ... . Di place a run calm and alright and dem just come and kill man so,” a perturbed resident said.

The residents said Heat, 19, did time at Metcalfe Street Juvenile Centre, but had changed as a person as a result of counselling, including from the police.

“Carry in the likkle yute, people can change. If unuh go inna di house and find something, him nuh back it pon unuh. Carry him in if unuh say unuh find something,” a resident said.

The Gleaner understands that the St Andrew North police have been placed on alert for possible retaliation from residents and told to exercise caution when traversing Red Hills Road.

Almost every day this year, there has been a police fatal shooting in Jamaica.

As at March 13, INDECOM was probing 64 fatal shootings in 72 days since the start of the year.

In another fatal police shooting, residents of Maxfield Avenue in St Andrew also demanded justice after a man, reportedly suffering from mental illness, was fatally shot by the police on Saturday.

The deceased is 33-year-old Joel McFarlane, also known as ‘Smokey’ and ‘Speedometer’.

The residents are challenging the police account of the incident, claiming that McFarlane was an innocent and jovial individual.

One resident said they are not just sad but also angry that the police are not taking accountability for their actions.

The residents also staged a protest, calling for the authorities to swiftly investigate the matter and bring those responsible to justice.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, at the start of the month, urged restraint by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, even as they are given the freedom in the use of force when engaging with the public.

Holness’ call came amid concern about an increase in police fatal shootings this year.

The prime minister said the Government would not support the wanton killing of Jamaicans by the police and called for the security forces to be responsible with the power with which they have been entrusted.

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com