MONTEGO BAY, St James — Anger, grief and fear hung heavy in Granville, St James, on Monday as residents protested the death of Latoya “Buju” Bulgin by a single bullet from a cop’s gun on Sunday.

One resident bellowed accusations against the police, a safe distance away from journalists.

“Don’t put me on no camera,” admonished another who also expressed fear of being targeted.

One resident who spoke after being assured her identity would not be revealed, gave an account of Sunday’s incident that has elicited strong opinions across the country. She said she was close to Bulgin when she was shot. According to the woman, a cop asked Bulgin for her driver’s licence and Bulgin gave him one from another country. The cop continued to press Bulgin for the document, said the woman.

“Buju come out of the vehicle and a tell the policeman to give her [a] ticket and him say, ‘No, mi a take up the car and mi a go call the wrecker!’ Buju say, ‘Alright, take the car’,” the woman said.

She said the cop told Bulgin to exit the vehicle, Bulgin attempted to turn off the black Toyota Voxy’s engine but it appears the van moved and then the cop fired.

“It’s not like Buju was going to drive off or anything; him know Buju. And after that mi see him give Buju one shot and Buju just hold her chest and just drop back so,” she said, mimicking the movement being described.

A police report on the incident said Bulgin threatened to run over the cop who shot her.

One resident of the community, who again asked that her name be withheld but said she was a member of the local Peace Management Initiative (PMI), provided some insight into 47-year-old Bulgin’s personality.

“Everybody know Buju. We know she out of order, she terrible; you know, ghetto style. But she is not a criminal,” she insisted.

“She never deserved to die this way,” she added.

The peace-broker added her voice to a call made Monday by the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) for people with information to come forward and speak with the relevant authorities. There are reports that some residents have indeed spoken with Indecom, but the PMI member was adamant that more has to be done — including more community policing — to help rebuild the trust that has been whittled away.

Since the year began, five people have been killed in Granville by members of the security forces.

On New Year’s Day, four-year-old Romaine Bowman was among three individuals killed during a joint operation between the Jamaica Constabulary Force and Jamaica Defence Force. On Mother’s Day, 17-year-old Tjey Edwards was shot dead, allegedly by the police as they wrapped up an operation in the area. Bulgin was killed, Sunday, as she helped transport protestors angered by the teen’s death.

On Monday, Councillor Michael Troupe (People’s National Party, Granville Division) also appealed for residents to overcome their fear and speak with Indecom about Bulgin’s death. However, he has also asked for certain conditions to be met.

“We’re going to have a meeting with Indecom and the police. They have to assure the people that it’s best for them to give statements to Indecom and the police. Let them talk what they see, that’s the only way we can get justice in this latest incident sorted out,” the councillor said from the verandah of his party office, within walking distance of Granville Square where Bulgin was shot.

On Monday, angry residents once again mounted fiery roadblocks on some roads in the community. Firefighters doused the flames and police helped them clear the heavily travelled road that is the route for several communities to get into Montego Bay.

The incident, which was captured on a camera in the area, has fuelled concerns about the increasing number of fatal shootings by members of the security forces. In a press release, Indecom said Bulgin’s death has pushed the number of people fatally shot by the security forces in May 2026 to 15, including two men killed in a police shooting in Hague, Trelawny, on May 16.

Year to date, the commission said, 130 people have been fatally shot by members of the security forces, compared to 129 for the corresponding period in 2025. Indecom also noted that none of the three cops reportedly assigned to crowd control duties at the protest were issued or wearing body-worn cameras at the time of the fatal shooting, a long-standing criticism from sections of civil society.

Councillor Michael Troupe (People’s National Party, Granville Division) appealing to residents of Granville, St James on Monday to overcome their fear and speak with Indecom about Latoya “Buju” Bulgin’s death.

Police presence in Granville, St James, on Monday following a second day of protests.