This week’s featured overall development as Newsmaker of the Week just ended is the range of perspectives on the killings of six men by the police in two separate incidents in St James and Westmoreland on Monday,
with human rights group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) announcing plans to stage a protest over the rise in police fatal shootings so far this year.
The killings – three in St James and three in Westmoreland – have ignited a firestorm of controversy about whether or not the police are using excessive force while conducting their lawful duties.
But some persons have defended the police against criticisms, reiterating Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ warning to all criminals that if they do not surrender to the local law enforcers, they will “meet a judge or (their) maker”.
Interestingly, the usual protests that are known to accompany police fatal shootings, especially when youngsters are among the deceased, were missing following the aftermath of both fatal shooting incidents in St James and Westmoreland.
A 15-year-old schoolboy was among the three deceased killed in the police operation in Top Lincoln, Grange Hill in Westmoreland on Monday.
The police claimed that the men opened fire on them, prompting a response that resulted in their deaths.
The deceased were identified as 15-year-old Sheldon McCalla, a former Petersfield High School student; his 25-year-old brother-in-law, Odaine Barron; and an unidentified man.
Police sources said Barron was a key player in the notorious guns-for-drugs trade, reportedly facilitating the movement of weapons from Nicaragua to Jamaica.
It was alleged that the firefight occurred at about 4:45 am on Monday when the police went to a premises in Grange Hill and were greeted with gunfire.
A shootout ensued and at the end of it, the three males are hit, and three guns were seized.
The families of two of the deceased have subsequently disputed the police’s account that they were involved in criminal acts.
Shannel McCalla, the older sister of 15-year-old Sheldon McCalla and the mother of Odaine Barron’s child, described the men as good individuals who were loving and caring.
“Friday was the last time I saw my brother, and today (Monday) I got a telephone call to say that he was dead – shot and killed by the police,” Shannel told reporters last week.
She went on to describe her younger brother as loving, fond of animals, and said he was involved in poultry farming at their Wharf Road residence in Smithfield.
In a subsequent interview, Chairman of Petersfield High School’s Board of Management, Balvin Leslie, told reporters that Sheldon had been absent from school for some time because he was told to adjust his school uniforms.
As a result, the teenager reportedly stayed away from school for some time.
In the St James incident, three males – also involving a teenager under the age of 18 years – were killed in a police operation in the West Village community of Montego Bay.
Reports are that sometime on Monday afternoon, the police received reports of men with guns being in the area.
On their arrival, the police claimed that the men opened gunfire on them, prompting a response that resulted in three men being killed. Two other men reportedly fled from the house in focus during the firefight.
Two guns were subsequently recovered at the scene.
Two of the alleged gunmen were identified as 17-year-old Jadan Jackson of Creek Street in Montego Bay, and 30-year-old Cylburn Chung of West Village in Granville, both in St James.
The third man was described as having a light complexion, being of slim build, and about five feet 11 inches tall. He was believed to have been in his mid-20s.
The police have defended their actions, with Assistant Commissioner Glenford Miller, the commander for the Area One Police Network, saying the men who were killed in West Village were suspected of having been involved in a daring drive-by shooting on Hart Street in Montego Bay two Friday’s ago.
Assistant Commissioner Glenford Miller.
Arising from that incident, two of seven persons who were injured, have died.
Meanwhile, JFJ has condemned the recent police killings, citing what it labelled as a disturbing trend of escalating police violence.
According to the watchdog group, 93 individuals have been killed by police so far this year, marking a 165 per cent increase in comparison to the same period in 2024.
Other media reports cite the number of fatalities at the hands of the security forces as being over 80 persons.
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has not updated their website with the actual numbers so far this year.
Meanwhile, JFJ is set to lead a protest on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 dubbed, ‘End Police Violence Protest’. It is to be held between 1pm and 3pm at the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre in St Andrew.
“The event aims to spotlight the escalating crisis of police fatal shootings in Jamaica and demand accountability, justice and systemic reform,” the JFJ said in a release on Thursday.
Participants will engage in a peaceful rally with placards and chants, including “End Police Violence”, “Accountability Now”, and “Where are the body-worn cameras?”
JFJ’s Executive Director, Mickel Jackson, has warned that if the trend of increased police fatal shootings continues, the country could surpass its highest recorded police killing figures, exceeding the 258 deaths that were reported in 2013 — numbers not seen since the establishment of INDECOM.
JFJ said the protest will bring together victims, their families, human rights advocates, and concerned citizens to amplify their voices and push for change.
The advocacy group called on the public, community groups and media “to join this critical movement to confront systemic issues within law enforcement and advocate for a Jamaica where human rights and dignity are upheld for all.”
The planned protest has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some persons supporting the police and others expressing concern about police brutality.
“Police need to lock up all a them who are protesting,” a man wrote on Facebook.
Another male Facebook user said JFJ will never understand the pain of losing a loved one to criminals.
“I lost my sister at the hand of a known criminal a couple years ago. The sleepless nights, the tears, the broken home, the motherless child, so many pain and hurt my family and her friends had to endure,” the man wrote.
“I’m grieving up to this day. So until JFJ start losing love ones to these criminals, they will never understand the reason why (the) majority of law-abiding citizens stand in solidarity with the lawmen. The maths is simple; you want to remain alive, stay away from crime and violence,” the man stated.
However, another man declared his solidarity with JFJ.
“The recent crisis of police killings is a stark reminder that we must not remain silent. JFJ’s efforts to bring attention to this issue and push for justice are commendable.
“We must acknowledge that security forces, like any other institution, can be flawed and require oversight,” the man commented.
In response, a man asked: “When are you guys going to organise a protest against the vermin killing our citizens every day?
“Kudos to the JCF in getting the germs dem in check,” he elaborated.
Another male Facebook user wrote: “Six (alleged) criminal elements taken out one day by the JCF is a massive achievement! Jamaicans for Justice can go one side with them protest. A judge or maker we say round here!”
Shared a woman: “Well JFJ fi go siddung! A long time our PM (prime minister) a tell dem (the criminals), ‘(Meet) a judge or (their) maker’.”
Wrote another: “Everyday Jamaicans for Justice a sing ’bout body cam(eras), body cam(eras)! The (police) commissioner nuh done say it need right technology before it can use?”
Police Commissioner, Dr Kevin Blake, has pushed back at calls for police personnel on operational duties to wear body cameras, saying that the appropriate technology is needed before the devices can become operational in a practical and appropriate sense.
But JFJ has criticised him for not providing a timeline as to when the technology will be in place for the body cameras to be widely deployed during police operations nationally.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has consistently told criminals that they will face severe consequences if they challenge members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), warning that they will “either meet a judge or (their) maker.”
However, JFJ and other human rights groups have pushed back, calling for greater accountability and transparency in relation to police operations.
For Westmoreland Custos, Reverend Hartley Perrin, Jamaicans must not celebrate the killings of individuals by the state (the police), “even if the person is found guilty of some crime”.
But during a media interview with reporters last week, he did not question the police’s accounts of the fatal shootings that were carried out in St James and Westmoreland.
Still, the clergyman expressed concern that some of the fatal shootings by members of the JCF are taking place in the presence of children. He said such developments can have “lasting” psychological impacts on children.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the issue of police fatal shootings in Jamaica needs to be addressed, according to some social media users.
“Yes, I agree with Mr Perrin. I use to jump up and say, ‘Yah squaddie (the police) kill a gunman’, but the heap a killings (by the police) since year just too much fi me,” a woman posted.
“Six men one day is too much JCF! Nobody couldn’t get shot inna dem foot or hand?” another woman asked.
However, the custos and those siding with JFJ continue to be heavily criticised on social media.
“Mr Custos, whose side are you on? Not going to comment what I really want to ask,” a woman stated on Instagram.
“Those like JFJ and others like Perrin, how you guys sit down and utter such nonsense?” another wrote.
Added a man: “Law and order must be maintained, and if it means getting rid of the criminals six by six, three by three, so be it. JFJ and the custos can go one side!”
