JLP Mandeville shooter acted in self defense - Police

Jamaica Observer

Saturday, December 10, 2011

THE Manchester Police are dispelling claims that they have handled the probe into the shooting death of a Jamaica Labour Party supporter after a party rally in Mandeville last Sunday, unprofessionally.

Police reported that a dispute between two JLP supporters at a hotel in Hatfield resulted in one of the men being shot and killed. He has been identified as 27-year-old Aston Howell, a labourer of Mike Town.

A delay in naming the murder victim and the fact that the shooter was not arrested has resulted in howls of condemnation that the police were bungling the investigation. However the police have defended their stance and claimed that their preliminary probe pointed to the licensed firearm holder acting in self defense.

The cops claim they collected nine statements from persons who allegedly witnessed the incident and from persons who were present at the location.

"Shortly after a man who claimed he was involved in the incident handed himself over to Police personnel in Manchester and submitted his licensed firearm for testing. His hands were also swabbed. The weapon handed over was officially tagged and forwarded to the Forensic Laboratory for ballistic examination," a release from the police high command stated.

The police say the man was interviewed and claimed in his statement that he acted in self defence and all nine collected statements support his claim of self defence.

"Based on the statements collected, the Police had no choice but to release the person who claimed involvement in the incident. The Police are however aware that there were other witnesses who were present at the location at the time of the incident. Several attempts have been made to locate these other witnesses but to date none of these witnesses have come forward or have been located despite the best efforts of the Police. All persons at the incident scene were swabbed for gunpowder residue," the statement said.