Fatal police shooting in Balaclava: conflicting accounts as Indecom investigates

Indecom is investigating the fatal shooting of Jowayne Salmon by JCF officers in Balaclava, St Elizabeth, on September 22. Police and civilian accounts of the incident conflict sharply.

Conflicting accounts in Balaclava as Indecom probes fatal JCF shooting

The Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) continued its probe on Wednesday into the fatal shooting of Jowayne Salmon, known as "Mani", by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Jamaica Observer reports.

Salmon was shot in Balaclava, north-eastern St Elizabeth, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at around 3:40 pm.

Police account disputed by witnesses

According to an Indecom release, officers had received information about armed men travelling on motorcycles. Police say that as two riders approached, they signalled the men to stop and were met with gunfire, which they returned. Salmon was shot and injured, later dying from his wounds, while his co-cyclist reportedly fled the scene. A firearm was said to have been recovered.

Civilian accounts directly contradict the police version. Witnesses told investigators that officers opened fire on the riders without any lawful basis. Salmon and the other rider had reportedly attended to court matters at the Balaclava Court earlier that day.

Community protests erupt in south-west St Elizabeth

The shooting prompted demonstrations in south-west St Elizabeth, where Salmon lived. Relatives and community members staged a public protest to draw attention to the circumstances of his death. Indecom investigators and a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) visited the community and interviewed witnesses as part of the ongoing investigation.

Indecom noted that its FLOs are tasked with identifying and attending to emotional distress following such incidents, including referrals for grief counselling through the Victim Services Branch and other social interventions where needed.

"The commission liaises with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and makes referrals for several forms of intervention while ensuring empathetic and sympathetic contact with grieving relatives or complainants," Indecom said.

223 fatal law enforcement shootings recorded year-to-date

Indecom stated that as of September 23, 25 fatalities involving the discharge of firearms by security forces had occurred since the beginning of the month. The year-to-date figure for fatal law enforcement shootings stands at 223.

The commission is appealing to anyone with information, photographs, or video footage relating to Tuesday's incident to make contact. They can reach Indecom's Central Regional Office at the Cobblestone Professional Centre, 1 Brumalia Road, Mandeville, Manchester, at telephone numbers (876) 961-1542 or (876) 968-1932. The Senior Public Relations Officer can also be contacted at (876) 553-0000 or by email at [email protected] or [email protected].

Source: Jamaica Observer