CLARENDON, Jamaica– A second man has been charged in connection with the shooting of a police officer and another man on Inverness Drive, Sandy Bay, Clarendon, on July 26, 2024.

Charged is 21-year-old labourer Dontae Taylor, otherwise known as ‘Berrita’ and ‘Six, also of Inverness Drive. He has been slapped with wounding with intent (2 counts), possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorised possession of ammunition and using a prohibited weapon to commit a felony.

Reports from the May Pen police are that about 8:30 pm, a policeman at an event in the community heard that a man was shot nearby and tried to render assistance. While providing assistance, he was reportedly challenged by gunmen who later fled the scene on foot. After the shooting subsided, it was discovered that the policeman had been shot. He and the man who was attacked earlier were assisted to the hospital, where they were treated.

Following an investigation into the matter, Taylor’s co-accused, 27-year-old deliveryman Kirk Messam of the same community, turned himself into the police on Friday, August 2, and was charged.

Taylor was apprehended in his community on Sunday, July 6. The charges were laid against him on Wednesday, July 8, after a question-and-answer session.

He is scheduled to appear in the May Pen Parish Court on Monday, July 14.