Night of terror at Freeport lock-up as prisoners, police officer injured - Jamaica Observer

Source: Jamaica Observer

MONTEGO BAY, St James -- The police high command says things are back under control at the Freeport police lock-up here after an incident Saturday night during which two inmates and a policeman were injured.

The police confirmed that a shooting incident occurred at the lock-up, and the weapon involved was retrieved and secured.

"As this matter is now the subject of a formal investigation by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), the Jamaica Constabulary Force is constrained in terms of what can be disclosed at this time," a release Sunday said. "We await the findings of the INDECOM report to provide a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding the incident."

A police officer familiar with the incident, meanwhile, described the situation to the Jamaica Observer as "unfortunate". Reports are that an unexpected turn of events saw a prisoner gaining unlawful access to a firearm, and two men who were in custody, along with a police officer, sustained injuries.

One of the men was reportedly stabbed and shot, the other was shot, while the police officer was grazed on the hand by a bullet.

The Observer learnt that the incident occurred about 7:30 pm when five men who had been detained on the cellblock were involved in a melee. The police sought to intervene but before doing so one of the prisoners was stabbed in the upper body.

The injured man was removed from the cell area by police officers, one of whom was said to be off duty at the time.

It is alleged that during the process of addressing that situation, a cop's firearm was removed for safekeeping and placed on a desk in order for the officer to enter the cells.

However the injured prisoner allegedly managed to retrieve the weapon, which he used to threaten a police officer, ordering him to allow him access to the cell area once more.

He then used this opportunity to target an inmate, presumed to be his attacker, and fired several shots at the man, one of which hit the man in the neck.

It was during this attack that the police officer was hit by one of the bullets.

Another police officer challenged the armed prisoner who was then shot and injured, and the firearm was recovered.

The three injured individuals were taken to hospital where they were treated for various injuries.

The officer who spoke to the Observer said the off-duty officer had gone to help quell the situation before it got out of hand. However, he said it seems the prisoner had been watching the weapon and when the officers were all occupied with the other inmates, the inmate retrieved the gun from the desk and started making demands.

The officer said that, contrary to reports, there was no barricading done by the prisoner and the situation was quickly controlled.

The officer said he was, however, unable to confirm if the situation stemmed from a gang incident as both men involved hail from different parishes, but he said the officers are examining all possibilities.