Patron at Hanover wake shot dead, two policemen injured during confrontation
HANOVER, Jamaica – The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) is currently investigating an incident in which a patron at a wake was shot and killed by the police in Hanover Sunday morning.
Two policemen also received injuries during the incident.
The deceased man has been identified as 24-year-old Avado Samuels of a Mount Pleasant district address in the parish.
Reports are that around 4:00 am the police went to a location in Mount Pleasant where an illegal wake was taking place to shut down the event.
However, residents who reportedly opposed the police presence began stoning the lawmen.
A confrontation reportedly developed between Samuels and the police. It was at this point that Samuels was shot.
One of the lawmen received an injury to his head from an unidentified object. The other reportedly received a shot to the hand.
No illegal gun was recovered from the scene.
The incident is currently being investigated by INDECOM which is in the process of identifying witnesses who can assist with their investigations.
INDECOM’s Director of Complaints for the Western Region, Errol Chattoo, told the OBSERVER ONLINE that the scene was processed, the officers guns seized, boxed and will be sent to the Government’s Forensic Lab to be analysed.
“We continue to appeal to witnesses who are able to assist with the investigation to come forward and assist us with statements,” Chattoo said.
– Anthony Lewis.