KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 16-year-old student has been charged for setting a man on fire during a protest at the intersection of Nelson and Metcalf streets in Denham Town, West Kingston.

The teen, charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, is the second person to be charged in connection with the incident. An alleged gang member was charged earlier this week.

The 31-year-old injured man is still in hospital being treated for his burns, the police said.

Reports are that around 9:00 am, the now-injured man was walking past protesters along the roadway, when he got into a dispute with a female.

It is alleged that the gang member instructed the teen to set the complainant ablaze. Gasoline was reportedly poured on the man, and he was set on fire.

The man ran off and sought the assistance of the police, who transported him to the hospital where he was admitted in a stable condition. He sustained burn injuries to his face, left shoulder, both arms and back.

An investigation was launched, which resulted in 36-year-old Omarley Dennie, otherwise called ‘Neily Blacks’, who is accused of being a member of the One A Way gang, being charged.

On Tuesday, September 29,2026, the teen was apprehended by the police and taken into custody.