Residents continue protest against MoBay man’s shooting
WESTERN BUREAU — As the Bureau of Special Investigations continues its probe into Saturday night’s fatal shooting of a Montego Bay man who was reportedly caught in the crossfire between security guards and robbers, irate residents of North Gully and surrounding communities continued their street protests against the killing.
His relatives are also calling upon the security company to cover the funeral expenses.
In a fiery demonstration Tuesday, the residents blocked sections of Orange and William streets to vent their anger at the death of 24 year-old Calvin Piggott. It was the second protest in the last three days and was sparked by the arrest of a North Gully resident known as “Lando” who allegedly assaulted a policeman. According to Peter Salkey, the Constabulary Communication Network spokesman for St James, after Lando was arrested and charged, the residents claimed that he was innocent and called for his immediate release.
He said the residents also used the opportunity to again vent their anger against the circumstances under which Piggott was fatally shot.
From about mid-day Tuesday, they blocked sections of the road and set fire to several tyres. Police efforts to restore order were thwarted as the roadblocks were remounted as soon as the cops left the scene.
Several business places in the area remained closed for most of the day as the angry mob vented their anger.
Tuesday’s demonstration comes on the heels of another protest staged on Sunday.
According to Salkey, Piggott and his friend, Eldridge Campbell, 29, were shot Saturday during an alleged shoot-out between security guards employed to Brinks Alarm Limited and four gunmen.
The police said the incident occurred after four robbers, two of whom had guns, entered the M&E Wholesale on Orange Street at about 8:50 pm and demanded money from the proprietor.
The proprietor allegedly activated his Brinks Alarm system when the men proceeded to rob him of over $400,000 and 15 cartons of assorted cigarettes valued at over $10,000.
Upon leaving the building, the men were reportedly accosted by two security guards from Brinks Alarms.
The gunmen reportedly opened fire and a gun battle ensued.
When the shooting subsided, it was discovered that Piggott and Campbell, who were bystanders, were shot.
Campbell was taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he was admitted in stable condition. Piggott was flown to the University Hospital in Kingston by a Jamaica Defence Force helicopter but was pronounced dead when he got there.
During Tuesday’s protest, Piggott’s cousin, Michelle Rodney, who held a placard which read ‘we want justice. Murder’, called on the Brinks Alarms company to take responsibility for the funeral arrangements.
“Piggott’s body was flown to Kingston Saturday night after he was shot and we are now being asked to pay $10,000 for his body to return to Montego Bay. The Brinks company must pay it and also bury him,” she said.