MP calls for Indecom probe into fatal police shooting in St Andrew

St Andrew North Central MP Delano Seiveright says he is "deeply disturbed" by reports surrounding a fatal police shooting on Karl Samuda Avenue.

MP demands urgent investigation after fatal police shooting on Karl Samuda Avenue

St Andrew North Central Member of Parliament Delano Seiveright has called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the fatal police shooting of a man on Karl Samuda Avenue in St Andrew, Jamaica Observer reports.

"I am very disturbed by what I am hearing, including from good, legitimate folks in the community who are known to be truthful. What I am hearing so far is just extremely disturbing," Seiveright said.

The MP, who said he personally knew the deceased, spoke to Jamaica Observer from Red Hills Road on Wednesday, where residents had blocked the road using metal bins, shopping carts and burning debris in protest at the killing.

Seiveright directed his call squarely at the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) and relevant units within the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

"I want a swift, speedy and transparent investigation by Indecom and key arms of the Jamaica Constabulary Force also to look into what happened, because the residents are extremely angry," he said. "The guy who was killed was said to be sickly, and I think that has really caused much grief among the residents — hence the explosion in anger."

Videos circulating on social media showed residents in heated verbal exchanges with law enforcement near PriceSmart, in the area also known as Black Ants Lane, where debris had been placed across the road to obstruct traffic.

Seiveright said he was present at the scene to help keep residents calm and restore a degree of order. "We're monitoring the situation as it stands now. We're clearing the roads, and we hope vehicular traffic will start moving in the coming hours," he said.

The MP stressed that protecting the relationship between police and the local community remained his primary concern. "This community has been by and large peaceful and this police division has done very well in terms of keeping crime low," he said. "The last thing we want is a breakdown in the relationship between the residents and the police."

Source: Jamaica Observer