Cop killed in alleged gunfight with colleagues

BY ALESIA EDWARDS Observer staff reporter alesiae@jamaicaobserver.com

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Police Constable Sheldon Williams, accused of misbehaviour while on a pleasure boat in this resort town, was fatally shot under questionable circumstances during a confrontation with his colleagues Sunday night, prompting a probe by the Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI).

Terrence Williams, commissioner of the recently formed Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), said last night that his office would manage, supervise, direct and control the investigation into the death of Constable Williams, as well as five other controversial fatal police shootings.

Superintendent Ezra Stewart, the officer in charge of administration at the BSI, told the Observer yesterday that the policemen involved in the fatal shooting of the 25-year-old constable have been taken off front line duties.

Constable Williams, otherwise called 'Syvan', who resided at Barclay Town in Gayle, St Mary, worked at the Police Amoury in Kingston.

Another policeman who was injured in an alleged gunfight involving Constable Williams was admitted to hospital in stable condition.

While there was confirmation by the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) about the fatal shooting of the policeman, allegedly by officers from Ocho Rios, there was no official report from the Police High Command on the incident up to last night.

Constable Williams was said to be among several police personnel participating in a fundraising party aboard the boat when he was accused of behaving in a boisterous manner and also of discharging several rounds in the air. He was reportedly warned for prosecution by a senior cop who was also a patron at the party.

Williams was arrested when he disembarked the vessel and was taken to the Ocho Rios Police Station.

It was alleged that while the constable was being processed inside the guardroom, he reached for his firearm, which was reportedly taken from him and placed on a table. It is said that Williams grabbed the gun, ran and allegedly fired at his colleagues who chased him. The officers, a source claimed, fired back and Williams received a fatal bullet.

About 50 relatives and friends of the dead policeman later demonstrated outside the Ocho Rios Police Station, accusing Williams' colleagues of murdering him.

"I would feel better if my son was killed by a gunman," Constable Williams' father Devon Williams told the Observer.

The BSI's Superintendent Stewart promised that the matter would be investigated thoroughly, and urged people with information to come forward.

"Ocho Rios police cannot be trusted; they are murderers," one protester said, making reference to last month's controversial killing of Ian 'Ching Sing' Lloyd at Old Buckfield.

A police sergeant, who was caught by a cellphone video shooting Lloyd who was lying on the ground and appeared unharmed and subdued, has since been charged with murder.

Constable Williams, who served the constabulary for nearly five years, was described by his relatives as a humble person who was passionate about serving his country.

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COMMENTS (11)

blue/bird blue/bird
8/31/2010

Cop discharge gun in air, arrested by his colleague. Instead of submitting to arrest he grabbed a gun and escaped. He is now a dangerous escaped criminal with gun in hand. His colleagues must be commended for their action in protecting the public,and with arresting one of their own. He was solely responsible for his own death.The people protesting should have been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. It is essential that the police take a firmer hand with these so call protesters.

James Allen
8/31/2010

Adam Godson, you r so right

Richard Edwards
8/31/2010

The Burear of Special Investigations could not tell who a stray puppy beleong to on its best day much lest to investigate a homicide. I am sickened everytime I hear thay they are investigating something, because I know that is pure fiction. Jmaica is a failed stated, who don't want to believe that is ok, many are in denial, the good thing about being in denial is, it is not a permanent emotive state.
R. Edwards NYC
betterlifeforjamaicans@yahoo.com

Steve Allen
8/31/2010

Its not Jamaica alone, here in Toronto, Canada. yesterday the police shot and killed a man with a very small pocket nife. However, no one in Canada is allowed to carry a knife on the street. Police or not, firing guns and killing someone should be the last resort, and when one fires his gun unlawfully on the street or public place the court should fine them guilty and let them pay for it.

Brad Kerr
8/31/2010

This just speak to quality of people who are joing the police force. It is a constant thing with these young men who enroll in the force they cant leave the street life behind them. If what was reported is true, then we need to start giving potential members of the force a psych evaluation before enrollment. Gun salutes on boat rides are unacceptable from anyone, let alone a police officer. His fear of the legal system lead him to try and escape thus costing his life..Sad situation..Screening?

Nicolas Henry
8/31/2010

We all call on the police to arrest their collegues for wrong doing, right. Sorry for the death, but it's possible that the action of the dead policeman contributed to his own death. Every firearm holder must be very careful how and when they discharge their weapons.

Adam Godson
8/31/2010

Wonder how many of those protesting the policeman's death were supporting the killing of ching sing? If its good enough for civilians it should be good enough for po lice.

Norman Lee
8/31/2010

There ought to be a review of where an off duty cop can take his firearm. A party boat with lots of liquor may not be a desirable place! Let’s hope the cop who joined the chase and shot Williams was not coming from a party!

Yard Vibz
8/31/2010

Suh wha dem seh, squaddie killed squaddie! I'm not sure if anyone on this board will express surprise of any variation here, but my only surprise is how infrequent these things happen. In a country where the gun happens to be the only tool that is consistently used to reconcile differences between warring parties,news of this sort should not interfere with anyone's thought process. In JA, cops nuh tek talk from no 1, suh how him fren dem fi mention jail when di ole ah dem ah lock di city? Peace!

mike w
8/31/2010

This police oficer should've known better. Can't b 'bussing'
yuh gun like that in public...bad example for a police officer. Maybe next time ease up off a de rum!

Anthony II
8/31/2010

Maybe one day when a politician or the child of a politician is killed by the police under "questionable circumstances" we will see an effort to rein in this seemingly outlaw force. It seems all too common: police killing under "questionable circumstances." These stories paint some officers as being no better than the criminal outlaws they are charged to go after: discharging weapons at will; shooting and killing at will; of poor behavior! Welcome to the best place in the C'bean to live!

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