‘He was my hand, foot and everything’ - Mother of man fatally shot by cops seeks justice

Ingrid Grandison has not rested well since July 17, the day that her son Shane Grandison, and another man, Richard 'Tu Pak' Mosley, 40, were fatally shot by police in Red Ground, Westmoreland.

The police reported that the men were killed in a confrontation with the lawmen but Grandison said her son was killed in cold blood. It is reported that the police received information that a man sporting dreadlocks was seen brandishing a gun, and launched an investigation. It is further reported that a team of cops intercepted a motor vehicle fitting the description in which the man was travelling in the Red Ground area and blocked its path. An armed man allegedly alighted from the vehicle and a shoot-out between him and the police commenced. He escaped into nearby bushes. It was later discovered that the driver and the passenger in the front seat were shot. They were rushed to hospital where they were pronounced dead upon arrival. The Independent Commission of Investigations is probing the matter.

Grandison said Shane, 25, who was the younger of her two sons, was pursuing a business degree at the University of Technology, Jamaica but paused his studies to manage the family business following the passing of his father and grandfather in 2020. Grandison said they owned and operated a fleet of tour buses. She said Shane also assisted her with her wedding and decor company.

"He was my hand, foot and everything. I had a stroke shortly after his dad and granddad died and no one in the family knew. Shane would not even allow the helper in my room, as he took really good care of me. Every day, this little boy would get up and tell mi how beautiful I am and that things were going to be okay. His father use to do like 10 men's job and that little boy took on that role," she said.

Grandison said Shane had a passion for helping others, especially the children from the area, for whom he hosted back-to-school treats.

On the fateful day, Grandison said Shane left their home at approximately 4:30 a.m. to wash and dispatch the buses. She said he then went to the airport to make a pick up and returned home about 2 p.m.

"I called him after and he said he was tired and I told him to get a driver to relieve him and he should head home and get some rest. Later on, someone called me to ask if I heard that they killed Tu Pak, so I said no. When I heard about him, I started calling Shane right away to tell him to come off the road because I heard that they killed someone. I wasn't getting him so I called the driver he was with and he told me that Shane left on a bike taxi," she said.

Grandison said, when she got home, her son was not there but neighbours said that he came by.

"I drove out same time because I know my son would have called and checked in with me. I started calling everyone," she said, later hearing that Shane had been shot and was carried to hospital. Grandison said she sped to the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital and enquired about Shane. A hospital worker gave the bad news that no injured persons were transported there.

"I was in disbelief and I showed him a picture of my son and he said that my son head mash up and I wouldn't recognise him," she said. This was no exaggeration, as Grandison said Shane's face was indeed unrecognisable. She said it was the tattoo of an eagle that he had on his body that she used as a distinctive mark.

"My son was born privileged. His dad had hotels and he had everything to his advantage. My son was very ambitious and ... I am still seeking answers and I am not getting anything. I am not doing well. I will not stop until I get justice for my son, though," she added.