JOHNSON TOWN, Hanover — Relatives of 29-year-old Nicholas Campbell, who was among three men killed by the police in an alleged shoot-out on November 6, want his name cleared.

“We need to get to Indecom [Independent Commission of Investigations]. We need to have little justice…His name needs to be cleared because he’s not a hoodlum like what the media said. He was not a wanted man,” said his brother Taffari Campbell.

He wants the same for another man, identified as Jason, who was also killed in the incident. They have distanced themselves from the third man cut down, a reputed gang leader called Clive “Greedy” Lawson from Mount Salem in St James.

Taffari was speaking with the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday evening, after a community meeting with members of Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). It was organised by the Member of Parliament for Hanover Western Tamika Davis. The MP has given a commitment to reach out to Indecom for an update.

According to relatives who fondly called him Neco, Nicholas Campbell was a tour bus driver, and they have no knowledge of him being involved in illegal activity.

His mother, who was only identified as Heatha, said they have been in touch with Indecom but the wait for action has been unbearable.

“That is what is hurting the people because we are not hearing anything. Because we know that Neco was innocent, the waiting is hurting. The longer we wait, the more we are hurting — and we need his name to be cleared,” she said.

According to the grieving mother, a police officer, who was not on the scene when the men were killed, told her Neco had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“He said due to the fact that he was where the person of interest was, that is the reason why they kill him,” she said.

Efforts to get a comment from the superintendent of police in charge of the parish were unsuccessful up to press time.

Heatha questioned why her son was not simply detained.

“What about innocent until proven guilty? You want to tell me seh not one police officer did not have a handcuff fi handcuff mi son and carry him go lock him up? Lock him up, man,” she said angrily.

Nicholas’s relatives are afraid of the impact the wait for a resolution will have on his remains.

“We need his body as soon as possible because we don’t want it to spoil,” his mother appealed.

The police report indicated that the Area 1 Fugitive Apprehension Team (AFAT) was conducting an intelligence-driven special operation along the Mosquito Cove main road about 5:35 pm last Wednesday when they signalled the driver of a dark-coloured Toyota Voxy to stop. The police alleged that four men armed with guns exited the vehicle and began shooting at them.

The police reportedly returned fire, leading to a running gun battle. At the end of the reported gunfight, three of the attackers were found with gunshot wounds while the fourth managed to escape, the police said. The injured men were taken to the hospital where they were pronounced dead. Two firearms were reportedly seized during the operation.

However, Taffari had a different version of events. He said his brother, who often helped others who reached out to him, went to pick up his motorcycle that was being repaired. While there, Jason asked him to accompany him to Montego Bay. The plan, according to Taffari, was to leave Jason and the other person in the vehicle in St James and for Nicholas to return the bus to Hanover.

He never made it back home.

Two days after the men were killed the police implemented a curfew in the Johnson Town area of Lucea, where Nicholas is from. On Monday protesting residents blocked a section of the Lucea West Bridge, setting debris ablaze in a pre-dawn operation.

“If we can’t get justice and clear the innocent name, me as his youngest brother can’t stop the community from rebelling and blocking every single road in Lucea. Mi can’t stop them. It is not only family hurting, even friends are hurt. Even the pet dog hurts,” Taffari said Wednesday evening.