Taxi operator killed in confrontation with cops

Residents of Rose Lane in Denham Town, Kingston, say they are still in disbelief after one of their neighbours was killed in a confrontation with police last Friday.

They say the man is 64-year-old taxi operator, Harrison 'Laxe' Palmer. But yesterday, the police's Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) reported that "an unidentified male" was fatally shot in a confrontation with the police about 12:45 p.m. at the intersection of Metcalf and Nutall streets in Trench Town.

The CCU also said one browning pistol containing five rounds was seized at the scene. The matter was reported to the Inspectorate and Professional Oversight Standard Bureau and The Independent Commission of Investigations.

Residents described Palmer as a gentle person. Annette Douglas told THE STAR that he was someone who she could depend on for transportation in an emergency.

Me frighten

"If a 3'o clock a morning and nothing happen for hospital and you call him, trust me, him a come. Me remember one night my daughter-in-law sick out and is Laxe that sometime after two and rush with her go the hospital," she said, adding that he was quiet. "Me frighten when me hear say him get shot. Nobody never hear Laxe mouth, more than if him pass and say 'Good morning Brownin' because a that him call me."

THE STAR went to Banton Street, downtown Kingston, where Palmer had been operating his taxi for more than 20 years.

"Not even an ants that man would step on," one taxi operator who gave his name as Andrew told THE STAR. "From him dead me a tell you say we can't stop talk about it. The poor thing can't even see good because a just other day him come back from Cuba go fix him eyesight."