ST MARY , Jamaica – Residents are crying foul after a man was killed by the police during a candlelight ceremony of late reggae artiste Determine at his home in Iterboreale, Annotto Bay on Friday.

Dead is 28-year-old labourer Kevin Cunningham of a CrabHall district, Annotto Bay.

Residents say the killing was carried out in cold blood, however police reports are that around 9:20 pm the St Mary Operational Support Team (OST) went to the venue where the candlelight vigil was being held to shut down the event which had no permit.

The police further alleged that in carrying out their duties, Cunningham brandished a gun at one of the cops, who in response discharged his service weapon and injured the suspect.

Cunningham was taken to the Annotto Bay Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police say a Beretta .40 calibre pistol with a partially erased serial number and a magazine containing five live rounds were recovered from the deceased. It is said that two cops were also injured in the incident.

Residents are disputing the claim that the deceased had a gun and had attacked the policeman.

One alleged eyewitness, who identified himself only as “Artiste”, slammed the actions of the police as disrespectful to the late Kette Drum singer.

“The thing a go on good and then the police [came], a man and a woman, but the man come in the place like demon deh pon him,” Artiste said regarding the evening’s celebration which was abruptly interrupted.

“When I came on I saw the police moving away with one of the selectors to the van and he come back. He and the second selector got in an argument and a tussle transpired between the two. They fell on the ground and after that, we heard gunshots and we just saw the selector run one way and the police run towards the gate,” Artiste continued. “I was standing right next to him (Cunningham) and the police come up in his face and say that he kicked him in his face. I know that young man didn’t do anything, and he [denied it] but [the officer] still insisted and then took out his gun and shot him in his chest. When the youth drop he stood up over him and shot him again.”

He added: “A cold-blooded murder, Indecom must come in and take statements from the people who wer there.”

The Independent Commission of Investigation (Indecom) is investigating.

Ingrid Henry