Dalton Laing, Gleaner Writer
Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland:
Pandemonium broke out in Savanna-la-Mar yesterday when residents of Harmony Town rioted following the police shooting of a 17-year-old boy the night before.
The irate protesters used an abandoned Lada motor car to block the junction of Barclay and Darling streets before setting it ablaze.
The teen, Lloyd Clarke, otherwise called 'Chucky', was shot and seriously injured by the police while on his way from a restaurant about 10:30 Sunday night.
A man who said he was travelling with Clarke at the time of the shooting said he saw a car approaching with only one headlight on.
"A food we go buy a Inthing (restaurant) when the police dem come and back we up," he said. "We never even know say a police because a one light dem have and tinted glass and a last week dem shoot a youth round here."
POLICE ATTACKED
He said that, on the approach of the police, they ran, and the police opened fire hitting Clarke in his back and hand.
However, the police are claiming the men were being apprehended when Clarke brandished a knife and attacked the lawmen, who responded by opening fire. Clarke sustained gunshot wounds and was taken to hospital where he was admitted.
The residents are demanding a transparent investigation into the shooting and are threatening to continue with protest action.
The police in the meantime are maintaining a strong presence in the area to restore calm.
