Taxi operator shot by cop

A taxi operator is currently receiving treatment in hospital after being shot by a police officer during an altercation at the Eastern Bus Terminus in St Thomas on Monday afternoon.

The incident, which has sparked widespread concern about excessive force, is being investigated by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM). According to a statement from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), "The man had an altercation with the police in which he tried to disarm the police officer when he was shot and injured." However, one alleged eyewitness gave a different version of the story.

"The policeman lick inna the taxi man car door and then the taxi man came out and start cuss. Him did in-between the car door but him never leff from out the car. Him and the police start back and forth until the taximan walk weh and the police grab after him waist so the yute box weh him hand," the witness recounted.

The person said the confrontation quickly escalated into a physical altercation, with both men exchanging blows. The police officer allegedly slapped the taxi operator in the face, prompting the cabbie to retaliate by hitting the officer with a stick.

"Same time the police draw fi the long gun and select up one inna it and point it pon the taxi man but the taxi man hide. When him look up and see that the police never fire, him push away the gun from offa him and hold on pon the gun. The police draw out the [gun] out of the holster pon him side and fire one," the eyewitness said.

"The taxi man crouch down and hold him head and the police fire two inna him back and the taxi man drop pon the grung and same time the police go over him and fire one more inna him," the person concluded.

Assistant Commissioner of INDECOM Hamish Campbell confirmed that the entity is aware of the incident but does not currently have a report. He said the team went to the hospital with the cabbie to gather further information.