A man who fired several shots at three policemen who attempted to accost him was sentenced to more than 50 years in prison in the Gun Court division of the Home Circuit Court on Friday.

The accused, 49-year-old Fitzroy Douglas from Christopher Road, Kingston 14, was sentenced following a trial before High Court Judge Justice Carolyn Tai Powell. Douglas faced charges of three counts of shooting with intent, possession of a prohibited weapon, and unauthorised possession of ammunition.

Justice Tai Powell sentenced Douglas to 15 years imprisonment on each count of shooting, six years and six months for the firearm, and two years and six months for the ammunition. The sentences for the shooting charges are to run concurrently.

Allegations are that around 9:45 pm on January 12, 2021, the policemen were on mobile patrol in a marked service vehicle in the Kingston Western division when they saw a crowd at what appeared to be a party.

The policemen noticed Douglas, dressed in blue jeans and a multi-coloured shirt, walking briskly away from the crowd toward Little King Street. The cops reportedly pursued Douglas, called out to him, identified themselves, and told him to stop. Douglas allegedly ran onto Spanish Town Road and attempted to jump a wall.

Upon the approach of the police, he allegedly pulled a firearm from the front of his waistband and opened fire in the direction of the officers. The cops took cover and returned fire in Douglas’ direction. He was shot and fell to the ground.

When the police approached Douglas, he reportedly got up and ran off toward Collie Smith Drive, where he managed to elude the lawmen.

A search of the area reportedly revealed a black Gen4 Glock pistol, containing a magazine with two 9mm rounds, where Douglas fell. The cops called for assistance, and a search of the community was conducted via a trail of blood that led to the premises, where Douglas was found suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot injury to his right forearm. He was treated at the Kingston Public Hospital.

No police officer was injured; however, the service unit and another vehicle were damaged by what appeared to be gunshots. The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) and the police processed the scene.

Following investigations by Detective Constable Morvin Ellis from the Denham Town CIB, Douglas was charged.