Incident in Ewarton: Police-Involved Shooting Leaves One Dead
St Catherine, Jamaica (October 14, 2024) — The quiet town of Ewarton in St Catherine was rocked on Sunday night by a tragic incident at a local event, resulting in the death of 34-year-old Vivian Francis, a Jamaican man residing in New Jersey, USA. According to initial police reports, Francis was allegedly shot by a policeman following an altercation.
The incident occurred at the Ewarton Sports Complex, where both Francis and the policeman were attendees. Around 10:10 PM, a dispute reportedly erupted between the two, escalating quickly. Eyewitness accounts and police statements suggest that Francis overturned a table in the midst of the argument and allegedly brandished a knife, aggressively stabbing toward the officer.
In response, the policeman drew his service firearm, ordering Francis to "drop the knife." Ignoring these commands, Francis allegedly continued to advance, prompting the officer to discharge his weapon. The gunfire struck Francis, who was rushed to Linstead Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, Francis later succumbed to his injuries.
This fatal event has prompted an official investigation by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), tasked with examining the actions of law enforcement officers in Jamaica. The case has stirred community concern and debates over police protocols in handling escalating disagreements, particularly in public settings.
Details surrounding the argument and subsequent shooting remain under investigation, as authorities work to piece together the sequence of events that led to Francis’ death. Both the local community and Francis’ family, straddling lives between Jamaica and the United States, are seeking answers and are expected to follow the investigation closely as it unfolds.
The Jamaica Observer will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available regarding this incident and the subsequent investigation by INDECOM.
