Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

Onlookers examine this bullet-riddled van that was shot up by policemen during an alleged shoot-out with four men who were passengers in the van. The incident took place yesterday near the Denham Town Police Station in west Kingston. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

CRIES FOR justice resonated throughout sections of west Kingston yesterday with residents of Denham Town claiming a case of indiscriminate shooting by the police.

The Denham Town High School gate had hardly been shut for one hour when gunshots rang out in the city's western end. At the end of it, the police confirmed that two persons were shot and injured although residents are contending that the number is higher.

Delroy Hewitt, superintendent of police and commanding officer for the Kingston West Police Division, said the report he has received from his men on the ground indicate that a shoot-out took place between gunmen and police.

Superintendent Hewitt said a police patrol was in the vicinity of St. Alburn Street, just beside the Denham Town Station, when they signalled a white minibus to stop. The bus driver disobeyed and men from inside the vehicle opened fire at the police who returned the fire.

Police reports are that four persons were inside the bus, two of whom ran. One passenger who was injured was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH). Police have said another man turned up at the KPH soon after the shooting and police believe he might be one of the men involved in the shooting. No weapon was recovered.

Meanwhile, the residents have dismissed as a lie, the police account of the incident. Several persons claiming to be eyewitnesses said the police fired on the unarmed men after they refused to stop. A group of women painted a graphic picture of the police pulling an injured youth from the van on to the sidewalk before shooting him several times.

Excessive force

Some passing motorists and persons who stopped to take a look at the bullet-riddled van, stained with blood, said the signs of excessive force was obvious.

The rear windshield and side windows of the van were reduced to splinters on the floor, while the front glass had almost a dozen gunshot holes. Inside the van, blood mingled with what seemed to be plain rice and curried goat in a dish; a camouflage cap on the back seat and a wheelchair in the back of the vehicle.

Janice, sister of one of the men injured in the incident, believes the police are targeting west Kingston.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Granville Gause has said the Bureau of Special Investigations has commenced a probe into the incident. -