Man shot dead by security guard

Head of the St Thomas Police Division, Allison Byfield, says that she is unable to confirm the mental state of the man who was fatally shot by a Beryllium guard yesterday.

Thirty-six-year-old Kendrick Bloomfield of a Johnstown address in the parish was shot after he allegedly pointed an object resembling a gun in the direction of security guards shortly after they had serviced a Scotiabank machine on West Street in Morant Bay. Rumours have been swirling on social media that Bloomfield was of unsound mind. Reports are that the object he was holding was a toy gun.

Byfield said the man was reportedly warned to stay back as he approached the armed guards.

"As soon as the team was through servicing and was approaching their vehicle, a man approached. He was told not to come any closer when he raised his hand with an object resembling a gun. He was shot and injured," she said. Bloomfield was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

In a statement, Beryllium Limited said that it was "aware of a shooting involving one of its crew in Morant Bay, St Thomas, earlier today [Wednesday]. We are cooperating with the police in their investigations".

- S.M.L.