Tension erupts in Waltham after two men shot dead by police

Tension boiled over in sections of Waltham, St Andrew on Wednesday morning after two young men were shot and killed by police during what authorities say was an alleged confrontation.

Dead are 22-year-old Camrick 'Bashy' Williams and Rushane 'Grim' Douglas, both of whom were fatally shot at separate locations along Bowens Road and Stephens Lane, adjoining roads that quickly became scenes of chaos and heavy police presence.

Details surrounding the deadly encounter remain unclear, but police say the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on criminal activity in the area. However, the killings sparked immediate backlash from residents, many of whom flooded the streets shortly after the incident.

Residents gathered at the scene shortly after the shooting, with tensions escalating as members of the community reacted to the police killings.

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has since taken control of the probe and was seen processing both scenes as part of its investigation into the fatal shootings.

The incident this morning occurred in the vicinity where 24-year-old Jamaica Defence Force private Daniel Crawford was killed on February 10.

Today's fatal shooting adds to a growing tally of fatal encounters involving security forces.

As of April 14, some 91 people have been killed during alleged confrontations since the start of 2026.

The month of April has recorded 15 such fatalities so far, heightening concern among citizens and advocacy groups about the increasing frequency of these incidents.

INDECOM recently expressed concerns that the security forces are not wearing body-worn cameras.

- Andre Williams

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