Police report threats against West Kingston cops after alleged gang leader’s death
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Members of the One A Way gang in Denham Town, West Kingston, have reportedly issued threats against several cops stationed in the division following the fatal shooting of the group’s alleged leader, 26-year-old Amani Malcolm, also known as “Bling Dawg”.
Malcolm was shot on Friday night at the intersection of North Street and Pink Lane after he reportedly held onto a policeman’s service firearm, causing a tussle. An illegal firearm was taken from him after the incident, the police revealed.
The killing sparked unrest in the community, with residents staging a fiery protest on Friday night and into Saturday morning. Reports also emerged that a man who refused to participate in the demonstration was assaulted and set on fire.
READ: Residents stage fiery protest after cops kill alleged gang leader
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Michael Phipps, head of Area One police, said intelligence gathered by law enforcement pointed to a credible threat against lawmen working in the Kingston Western Division.
“We are treating this seriously,” ACP Phipps told Observer Online. “I want to use this opportunity to warn people not to carry out any threats against our police officers. We have taken steps to increase our vigilance, and of course, we are increasing our presence and operational activities within the area.”
The ACP has instructed that Omarley Dennie, otherwise called “Neily Blacks”, an alleged top-tier member of the One A Way gang, report to the Denham Town Police Station.
Dennie is a person of interest in this and several other matters being investigated by detectives at the Denham Town Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), the police said.
“At this time, we are asking the residents to stop blocking the roadways and to cooperate with the police efforts as we seek to work with them in ensuring safety for all the persons who live and traverse in the area,” Phipps added.