Residents say deportee killed by cops was no gunman

Residents of Munster Road along Mountain View Avenue, St Andrew, yesterday mounted fiery roadblocks to protest the fatal shooting of a man by the police.

According to community members, the deceased, 55-year-old Eric 'Ex' Shakespeare, was killed in cold blood.

"Even if him a badman a farrin, him never come here with no war. He was an ex soldier from overseas and him get deported because him was involved in drugs and gun, but him never come here and wanted on any drugs or gun. A years him live here now and him no give trouble. If him don't know yuh, him don't even call to yuh the way him keep to himself," a woman said.

The Independent Commission of Investigations, which has launched an investigation, reported that a police team allegedly breached a room, and a man was seen with a firearm pointed at the officers. The police reportedly fired at the man in response. The man was pronounced dead at hospital. A Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol was reportedly recovered from the incident scene, which was examined, and the evidential material recovered, processed and packaged. The hands of the deceased were swabbed for gunshot residue. The officers were served with Section 21 Notices, pursuant to the Independent Commission of Investigations Act, 2010, to submit statements; interviews will also be scheduled. So far this month, 22 persons have been fatally shot by members of the security forces.

A woman said Shakespeare had just returned home from a jogging session and was having a bath when he was killed.

"A bandoloo cigarette him sell and do him little hussling. The police a say dem tell him to drop him gun after him point it at them, but how can a man a bathe and have him gun? That nuh make no sense. Fi show yuh, him grille all leave open, and a so the police could come in. So dat alone show yuh say the man nuh have nothing a hide," she said.

The woman added that Shakespeare was not a "party man" and his home was well adorned "because him have him woman a farrin a send him tings".

"Mi see the police dem drive in a van how long, so mi want to know what dem a clean out," the woman added.

Roadblocks were mounted along Mountain View Avenue, one of which was located just outside the gates of the Mountain View Primary School. A strong contingent of police and soldiers monitored Mountain View Avenue, but that did not prevent mask-wearing men from throwing what appeared to be gasolene in a pile of old tyres to reignite a fire that was lit earlier in the middle of the street.

The unrest not only caused a build up of traffic, but nearby schools were also dismissed early.