Rasbert Turner, Gleaner WriterSpanish Town
THE BUREAU of Special Investigation (BSI) has been called in to investigate the killing of four men by the police in Portmore, St. Catherine, last Friday night.
Two of the men have been identified by aliases only: 'Bleach Off' and 'Handset', while Oniel Rodney 'Jah Mikes', 30 years old, and 29-year-old Caswell White, were the other two persons killed.
Reports reaching The Sunday Gleaner are that about 11:30 p.m. on Friday, police went to Penny Avenue, Old Passage Fort, Portmore, St. Catherine, where they accosted six men who allegedly opened fire on the lawmen. The fire was returned and the four men were later found suffering from gunshot wounds. A further search of the area led the police to the seizure of three firearms, two 380 semi-automatic pistols with seven rounds and a glock pistol with six rounds.
The Waterford police said they were acting on intelligence when the incident occurred. They claimed that these men were part of a criminal gang that is committing several heinous crimes in the Portmore area. However, the residents' version differs significantly from that of the police.
HEARD FOOTSTEPS
According to one resident, Alvin Mitchell, he was at home in the area when the police came and started to shine flashlights. He said that he heard footsteps and explosions, then he looked outside. "When a look out, mi see di police a draw mi bredren name Caswell pon di ground. Mi see dem put dem fi lay down and fired several shots. A next yout that was on the gully was also shot." He said the police then put the men in a jeep and drove off.
Other residents who came on the scene claimed also that the men were killed in execution style.
Detective Sergeant Leon Clunis of the BSI who is heading the investigation, said that it is preliminary at this stage and he is unable to comment at this time.
