Jamaicans urged to pray after cop’s spouse killed in St James gun attack

Western Bureau:

The St James Police Division, which is enjoying its most tranquil period in two decades, was jolted on Saturday night when the family of a police officer came under a gun attack in Reading, near Montego Bay, resulting in the death of the lawman’s spouse and injury to himself and his five-year-old son.

The deceased woman, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, was identified as 36-year-old Latoya Crystal Stephenson, a human relations manager of Montego Bay West Village. The injured policeman, whose identity was not release in the police’s official report on the incident, is reportedly attached to the Area One Lottery Scam Task Force.

Reports are that the child, who suffered bullet wounds to his head, and the policeman, who suffered gunshot wounds to his upper body, were both admitted to a medical facility in western Jamaica with life-threatening injuries.

The incident, which reportedly took place about 8:35 p.m. in the vicinity of the Elevate Nightclub & Lounge in Reading, was roundly condemned by National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang; Peter Bunting, opposition spokesman on national security; and the Jamaica Police Federation.

According to reports, the policeman and his family members drove to the location, where he reportedly had an appointment to meet a person whose identity has not been disclosed. As he pulled up in his motor vehicle, there was a barrage of gunfire directed at the vehicle, which resulted in injuries to the occupants.

In a video shot by an onlooker, Stephenson was seen lying on the ground on the passenger side of the vehicle with bloodstains in the region of her chest. She appeared to already be dead. The child was seen struggling to stand up in the backseat with blood seemingly streaming down the side of his head. The policeman was initially seen slumped over the steering wheel and, after shuffling around for a bit, managed to drive the vehicle away.

With the video going viral, reports surfaced that the policeman and his son were admitted to a medical facility and were being treated for gunshot wounds. It was unclear where on his body the officer was hit, though it is believed he was shot multiple times.

In response to the incident, Chang offered condolences to the family, while urging well-thinking Jamaicans to pray for them.

“I convey, on behalf of myself and the Government of Jamaica, our deepest condolences to the policeman and his son, who have suffered a major and painful loss. We hope that both recover in a speedy manner,” said Chang. “I am confident that all well-thinking members of society will join us in holding up the policeman, his son, and his extended family in our prayers.

“This attack has not shaken the resolve of the security forces and the Government in our move to improve upon the reduction in violent crimes, including murder. It presents a stark reminder of the dangers our crime-fighters face as they strive daily to keep us safe and secure.”

Bunting described the attack as a cold-blooded assault on the family, and he too asked for prayer for the policeman and his son, while calling for urgent and effective action to address violent crime and protect the families of members of law enforcement.

“We must act decisively to break the cycle of violence and, as a society, we must reject not only the acts themselves, but also the callousness that allows such indignities to be treated as entertainment,” he said. In its statement, the Police Federation, which identified the injured policeman by name, confirmed that he was undergoing surgery and they were monitoring his medical care and that of his son.

“The member is currently undergoing surgery, and we earnestly pray for the best. We ask that you lift our colleague and his son up in your prayers,” read the Federation statement. “This is a sad time for the Jamaica Constabulary family. We implore our members to be vigilant on and off duty.”

The incident comes at a time when stakeholders in St James have been celebrating the most significant decline in serious crime seen in close to 20 years, as the parish is on course to register fewer than 100 murders for the first time since 2005. The latest statistics for January 1 to August 8 stands at 36, which is 47 fewer than the comparative period last year.

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