KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) says it is now investigating four incidents in which five men were fatally shot by members of the security forces on Monday.

The deceased men have been identified as Ricardo Gayle, who was shot and killed by soldiers at a zone of special operation (ZOSO) checkpoint in August Town, St Andrew; 25-year-old Paul Francis and 27-year-old Omar Hooke, who were both fatally shot by the police at Five West, Greater Portmore, St Catherine; 42-year-old Justin Bondfield who was fatally shot by the police in Wheelerfield District, Golden Grove, St Thomas; and 39-year-old Peter Gooden, who was fatally shot by the police at May Pen Town Centre, Clarendon.

Indecom said the incidents which occurred in August Town and at the May Pen Town Centre reportedly involve men with mental health issues.

According to Indecom, these recent incidents increase the total fatal shootings by security forces for April 2026 to 37. Year to date, 113 persons were shot and killed by the security forces, while comparatively, in 2025, for the same period, 106 persons were shot and killed.

Indecom said all incident scenes were examined and the evidential material recovered, processed and packaged. The hands of the deceased were also reportedly swabbed for gunshot residue, and their bodies photographed and sealed, pending post mortem examination.

The concerned officers were served with Section 21 Notices, pursuant to the Independent Commission of Investigations Act, 2010, to submit statements and attend interviews.