By Angelo Laurence, Gleaner WriterSCORES OF protesters, mainly colleagues of public health inspector Damion Watson, 40, who was killed at the Odeon Cineplex in Mandeville on Friday, marched through the Manchester capital yesterday in protest.
The large throng, which had several placards, marched for more than three hours, before congregating in front of the office of Member of Parliament for Central Manchester John Junor.
They told The Gleaner that they marched to the Member of Parliament's office because he is also the Minister of Health.
Brother of the deceased, Devon Watson, told The Gleaner that his sibling was employed to the Manchester Health Department for 14 years.
Damion Watson of Hopton Gardens, less than three miles from where the incident took place on Caledonia Road in the heart of the town, was pronounced dead at the Mandeville hospital after he was shot twice in the chest allegedly by a manager of the Palace Amuse-ment Odeon Cineplex.
The circumstances that led to his death are unclear, as persons claiming to be eye witnesses relate a different version of the incident than that given by the police.
CIGARETTE
According to the Mandeville police Watson tried to enter the cinema with a lit cigarette and was prevented from doing so by an attendant.
He reportedly forced his way in at which time the manager was called and while approaching, the deceased is alleged to have brandished a knife.
The manager, who is a licensed firearm holder, pulled his weapon and fired two shots, hitting Watson who he claimed was advancing towards him with the knife.
However, a woman, who said she was present when the shooting took place, told The Gleaner that Watson left the cinema after a brief discussion with an attendant and tried to re-enter a few seconds later.
She said there was a long discussion about a ticket and Watson was prevented from re-entering the cinema by the attendant.
The woman said all she saw in Watson's hand was a folded $500 bill.
She further said when Watson got shot, he was outside the cinema, and that a young man "thief" the $500 from his hand when he fell.
Monday's demonstration
followed similar protests on the weekend.
REGRET
After the demonstration on Saturday, a senior employee at the cinema said management was watching the situation carefully and expressed regret at the shooting, which he said was tragic and regrettable.
No charges have been lodged against the Cineplex manager, whose name was not released by the police.
Residents said they would continue their protests.
In the meantime, Watson's colleagues described him as a humble person who was not known to be boisterous.
His brother vowed to have his death properly investigated. Calling for an independent doctor to be present at the autopsy, Mr. Watson said he wants his brother's lungs examined to determine if he was smoking prior to his death.
Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police Horace Sangster, who was on the scene of the protest said investigations continue into the incident.
Correspondent George Henry contributed to this story.
