THE United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands is seeking answers on the probe into the fatal shooting death of Keith Clarke during the security forces’ hunt last year for former Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

In a letter to Security Minister Dwight Nelson, the church lamented that it is close to a year now since Clarke has been shot dead at his home in St Andrew and that there is no resolution to the matter, while his family continues to suffer “physically and emotionally”.

“As a church community we strongly urge that in the interest of the family in particular, and the public in general, that there be a clear statement on the progress of the investigations,” said the church in its letter to the security minister, a copy of which was sent to the Observer.

“We also urge that every possible attempt be made to bring the matter to a just conclusion in the shortest possible time, so that no further damage is done to the public’s confidence in our justice system,” added the letter, which was copied to Prime Minister Bruce Golding and the head of both the army and constabulary, among others.

Keith Clarke was shot dead in his Kirkland Close, St Andrew home by law enforcers early on May 27 last year in what the police said was a search for Coke. The slain man’s family said he was shot after members of the security forces forced open a door to the house, saying that they were searching for a gunman.

So far, the police have only said that Clarke, a licensed firearm holder, was shot and a gun seized. Four members of the security forces were injured and the matter is being handled by the Bureau of Special Investigations.

“We believe this to be a seriously troubling matter when matters of justice appears to be so casually treated by the authorities whom we have elected to have oversight in this regard,” said the church in its letter.