January 31, 2025
Residents challenge reports that man killed by police had fired shots
ST MARY, Jamaica — Residents of Fort Stewart in Annotto Bay, St Mary are disputing a police report that a community member was shot and killed after he opened fire at lawmen on duty Thursday night.
The deceased has been identified as 27-year-old Joseph “Rider” Williamson.
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According to the police, the Operational Support Team (OST) were on foot patrol in the community around 9:15 pm when two men attacked them, one of which shot at the officers. The police said they returned fire and Williamson was later discovered suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was taken to the Annotto Bay Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
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The police said a 9mm Forjas Taurus pistol with three live rounds was recovered from Williamson’s body. The other man escaped, according to the report.
However, members of the community have since dismissed the allegations that Williamson opened fire at officers.
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“Rider, a nuh gunman, a see him see the police because a curfew is in place and him run to go back to his yard,” one resident disclosed to Observer Online.
Noting that Williamson had a matter before the courts, he said, “The man have a case inna court where the police dem shoot him for mistaken identity and now dem come kill him — an innocent youth.”
Acting Superintendent of Police, Anthony Wallace confirmed that Williamson was previously charged for assault at common law after he allegedly attacked the police during an operation where he was shot.
Earlier on Thursday St Mary police also shot and killed another man in Oracabessa. Similarly, the police said the now deceased 33-year-old Jhevaugh Norcliff Peart had fired at officers who were conducting an operation in the area.
READ: Man fatally shot in Oracabessa operation, guns recovered — police
The St Mary police are investigating.
— Ingrid Henry
