CLARENDON, Jamaica – The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has launched a probe into the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of an alleged bus thief by police at Foga Road in Four Paths, Clarendon on Thursday morning.

The dead man is believed to be 31-year-old Gayle Laurie Paton, from Water Mouth district in Porus, Manchester.

Information reaching Observer Online indicates that around 3:45 am, the police received a report that a blue 2008 Toyota Hiace minibus, was robbed from a man in Lincoln, Manchester.

Assistance was sought, and the Manchester police, having received additional information, proceeded to Clarendon Park in Clarendon, where the vehicle was spotted. Efforts were made to stop the car using the beacon lamp and loudspeaker of a police service vehicle, but this proved futile as the bus reportedly sped along the thoroughfare toward the direction of May Pen. The police reportedly gave chase.

The vehicle then drove onto Foga Road, off the Bustamante Highway and collided with a tree before coming to a stop. Three men, the police said, then alighted from the bus and opened gunfire at them. The lawmen returned the fire. When the shooting subsided, one man was seen suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the May Pen Hospital where he was pronounced dead.