Alleged cop shooter for court May 3

The case against Kirk Lawson, the St James man who reportedly shot and injured a policeman last February, will be mentioned in the St James Circuit Court on May 3, as his case file is currently incomplete.

Lawson, who is represented by attorney Michael Hemmings, has been hit with several charges including wounding with intent, possession of a prohibited weapon, and two counts of shooting with intent, arising from the incident. He has also been before the court on a separate murder charge since 2022.

When Lawson's case was mentioned on Monday before High Court Justice Bertram Morrison, it was initially disclosed that the defendant had not been brought to court, with the explanation that he was being housed in police custody in Trelawny. The matter was subsequently stood down to allow time for Lawson to be brought to court. When he finally appeared before the judge, the prosecution revealed that the forensic certificate, the ballistic report, and the scene-of-crime certificate were all outstanding from its case file, and requested May 3 as the deadline to have them ready. Justice Morrison then informed Lawson of the new date, remanding him until then.

Allegations are that on February 18, 2023, about 9:50 p.m., a police team was on patrol duty along Railway Lane in Montego Bay, when the lawmen saw Lawson walking along the roadway. His actions aroused their suspicions and when they approached him, Lawson reportedly opened fire at them. A gun battle ensued, during which a member of the police team was shot and injured. The wounded cop was transported to the Cornwall Regional Hospital for treatment.

It is further alleged that Lawson later turned up at the same hospital with a gunshot wound, and was placed under police guard. He was formally charged on February 28, following an interview in the presence of his lawyer.

Lawson was fingered as the main suspect in the October 7, 2022 shooting death of auto sales representative Deveto Barnett along the Hendon Norwood main road in St James. That matter was placed before the Western Regional Gun Court.