Cops kill man in alleged confrontation at Sun Coast Beach Club
Published:Friday | July 4, 2025 | 12:11 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) is probing the fatal shooting of a man in the wee hours Thursday at the Sun Coast Beach Club residential complex in Bull Bay, St Thomas.
Information reaching The Gleaner is that the police went to the residential property about 2:45 a.m. and attempted to execute a warrant for a wanted man.
The police, on entering the property, were allegedly fired upon and reportedly returned fire.
When the smoke cleared, a man by the name of Jhezde Christie was found suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was assisted to the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), where he was pronounced dead.
The police say one Ruger 9mm pistol was seized.
The Gleaner understands that the wanted man and target of the operation was in Christie’s company but managed to escape.
Sources close to the investigation would only add that he is wanted for “serious offenses”.
Businessman Kevin Frith, who developed Sun Coast Beach Club, told The Gleaner last night that he was to meet with the police to get a full understanding of what occured at the location.
A resident of Bull Bay told said the shooting caused consternation in the dead of morning.
SHOTS FIRED
“Nothing nah gwan a Bull Bay, so mi a seh, ‘A who a fire dem shot deh?’
“A when the morning light, we a get to understand that a police and man inna shoot-out. What is more shocking is that a over Sun Coast,” the resident said.
The Morant Bay Criminal Investigation Branch is investigating the shooting and firearm recovery.
As at July 3, one hundred and sixty-six people were killed during alleged confrontations with the police in Jamaica.
The breakdown includes 28 in January, 28 in February, 25 in March, 30 in April, 25 in May, 26 in June ,and four so far in July.
A total of 189 persons were killed for the entire 2024.
Between 2024 and 2025, a total of 36 police officers have been charged following investigations by INDECOM.