KINGSTON, Jamaica — Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson has urged the Integrity Commission (IC) to issue a statement of correction after the IC’s annual report seemingly accused the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) of failing to investigate the shooting of the commission’s senior director, Ryan Evans, without a credible basis.
The IC’s report, presented by Chairman Seymour Panton, claimed, “One of the commission’s directors was shot and robbed. The case remains open. I believe an investigation is ongoing, but neither the director nor the commission have received any reports since the incident.” Panton also highlighted concerns about the incident occurring in New Kingston, where visibility is high, yet the perpetrator vanished.
Deputy Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey, responsible for crime, refuted these claims, explaining that the investigation had been delayed because Evans did not sign a witness statement for nearly a year. Bailey asserted that the JCF had maintained contact with senior IC officials regarding the case and suspects the motive was robbery, as Evans often withdrew large sums of cash at predictable times.
Sen. Tavares-Finson expressed initial concern over Panton’s comments and suggested that the integrity committee chair might have been unaware of the actual situation when he made them. Tavares-Finson addressed the Senate on Friday, indicating his expectation for an addendum to be filed to correct the record, as Panton’s comments unjustly implied police negligence.
Ryan Evans was shot and injured in September of the previous year when his briefcase, containing more than $700,000 in cash, was stolen in the New Kingston Corporate car park on St Lucia Street. Fortunately, his injuries were not life-threatening. Earlier this week, Evans revealed he delayed signing the statement out of fear.
Following Bailey’s remarks, police confirmed that a statement was finally signed by the chairman of the integrity committee earlier this week.
