Man killed in confrontation with cop wanted to join JCF

The past three weeks have been the most agonising for Denver Needham. The image of his son, Alex Needham, choking on his own blood seconds after being shot remains fresh in his mind.

On July 1, the youngster was reportedly shot to death by a policeman in the Spanish Town bus park following an altercation between the two.

Alex, 24, had dreams of becoming a policeman and had passed the recruitment test and was waiting on a call.

"For all of his life, he had his eyes set on becoming a police officer. He got seven subjects and when he got a grade three in maths, he went and resit the exam and got a grade one. Him dead with him seven subjects and never get a chance to fulfil his dreams," he said.

According to police reports, it is alleged that Alex was loading a Toyota Coaster bus illegally along Burke Road when the uniformed cop approached him and instructed that the bus be moved to the designated area. A disagreement reportedly developed during which a policeman was chopped and Alex was shot.

Both men were taken to the Spanish Town Hospital where Alex was pronounced dead. The cop was admitted.

Refuting police claims

But Needham has refuted the police's claims, stating that he chopped the policeman after realising that his son had been shot. The elder Needham has been charged for wounding with intent, in relation to the same incident, and is slated to make a court appearance on September 23.

Needham said that he is hoping to receive justice for Alex. The matter pertaining his son's shooting is currently being investigated by the Independent Commission of Investigations and the police's Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau.