MONTEGO BAY, St James — A Hanover man who reportedly became enraged and challenged cops with a firearm minutes after they had killed his brother in a reported confrontation was also fatally shot by the police on Tuesday.

Head of the Area One Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Glenford Miller said the confrontation started as the police were in the process of executing a warrant on a man in Green Island, who had pointed a gun at them.

He said the police took evasive action and the man was fatally shot during the alleged confrontation.

That man was later identified as Henrique Harvey of a Green Island, Hanover address.

According to Miller, another man, upon hearing what was happening, ran in the direction of the police with a firearm and was also fatally shot.

That man was later identified as Romaine Harvey, also of a Green Island address.

But irate residents, who on Wednesday staged a demonstration in Green Island over the fatal shootings, contradicted the police’s version of the incident, claiming that the brothers were killed in cold blood by the police. The residents also appealed for justice.

The Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) has commenced a probe into the fatal shootings.

But Miller is standing by the police’s version of the events and has echoed the repeated urgings of the constabulary’s high command for criminals not to engage members of the police force in confrontations.

He is warning criminals that the police will be forced to defend themselves when confronted by gun-toting individuals.

“I am appealing to the criminals, when my police officers come for you, surrender. Don’t try to confront my police officers. My police officers, they are trained to defend themselves and defend the citizens of this country and that they will do, with the utmost respect and professionalism at all times. I appeal to you,” said Miller, who was recently transferred to head Area One.

He pointed out that 12 of the 23 murders reported in Hanover between January 1 and June 1 were committed in the Green Island area.

“Within the Hanover space, Green Island in particular, since the start of the year, has seen over 12 murders, which is not the norm for Hanover,” said Miller as he declared that the police will not stand by and allow criminals to take control of Hanover.

“Criminals want to take over our space and we will not tolerate that. That will not happen. The law-abiding citizens of this country, especially those persons who live in Hanover, do business in Hanover, must live in peace in Hanover and feel safe. And we the police, we are here, we will continue to protect them and try to ensure their safety and security at all times,” declared Miller.

He also repeated the call for wanted men to surrender to the police.

“My saying today to the criminals out there [is] carry in yourselves. Hand in yourselves. Most people who we consider to be wanted, or persons of interest
— you know yourselves
— bring in yourself. Come in with your pastors, come in with your lawyers, but you need to come to the police so that we can clear up any ambiguities or any accusations that you believe that were made against you. So we are appealing to you to come to the police,” said Miller, who also called on residents of western Jamaica to partner with the police.

“I am also appealing to the citizens of Area One [St James, Hanover, Westmoreland and Trelawny], and persons who traverse to Area One, you need to partner with the police. It is only through partnership that we can make Area One a safe place where people want to live, do business, raise their families. So I am appealing to you, partner with us. We, together, will make Area One safe,” said Miller.