Man fatally shot by police in Church Pen, Old Harbour; family calls for justice

The family of a man who was fatally shot by the police inside his home in the community of Church Pen in Old Harbour, St Catherine on Tuesday is calling for justice.

The deceased has been identified by relatives as 29-year-old Shivnarine Saunders.

Saunders was reportedly shot and killed by police officers at his home around 5:30 a.m.

Up to publication time, the police had not released an official account of the incident.

However, Tamika McCloud, a cousin of the deceased, is questioning the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

According to McCloud, a police team first visited the premises on Monday night.

"The police dem came about 7 o'clock last night and take picture from his ID and sey they will come back," she told The Gleaner during a visit.

She stated that officers returned early Tuesday morning.

McCloud claimed that about 5:30 a.m., police kicked off her sister’s door, damaging furniture and clothing before moving to Saunders’ room.

"Mi hear four shots and the police sey ‘nuh worry him point gun at us, but him never fire it’,"

She alleged that Saunders had just gotten home from a party and was intoxicated when officers forced open his door with a crowbar before shots were fired.

McCloud also claimed that a female officer in the police party was verbally abusive when she tried to question why Saunders had been shot.

According to her, the officers later indicated that the incident may have involved mistaken identity.

McCloud said she is demanding justice for her cousin.

In the meantime, the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) and the police’s Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau are conducting separate investigations into the circumstances surrounding Saunders’ death.

- Ruddy Mathison

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