Man fatally shot in Bog Walk Gorge identified as ex Clansman-One Don defendant

A man who was killed by police yesterday during an alleged shootout at the Bog Walk Gorge in St Catherine is believed to be alleged Clansman-One Don Gang member, Damaine Elliston, who was last May freed during the gang trial.

The 27-year-old livestock farmer was among the four persons who were first freed of being members of a criminal organisation after the prosecution indicated that there was insufficient evidence to prove that they were gang members.

However, shortly after his release, Elliston was re-arrested and charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, in relation to an Intratec submachine gun and 9mm pistol, but was subsequently granted bail.

Head of the St Catherine North Police Division, Senior Superintendent of Police Howard Chambers, when contacted yesterday, indicated that while the deceased is said to be Elliston, the police are still trying to confirm his identity.

According to Chambers, the now deceased was among a group of persons who reportedly went to the Riversdale community and shot and killed another man, whose identity had not yet been confirmed.

The man who was killed in Riversdale, and was identified by residents as Dwayne Brown, otherwise called 'Thelma Bwoy', is also said to have been a violence producer in the Bog Walk area.

Brown had reportedly been approached, around 11:50 a.m., by two men on foot.

After a short conversation, one of the men pulled a firearm and shot Brown repeatedly.

The assailants then escaped in a waiting motor vehicle, identified as a Toyota Wish.

Following his death, police, acting on information, went in search of the vehicle. On seeing the police, the alleged perpetrators, in a bid to escape, collided with a truck before alighting from the vehicle and firing at the lawmen.

The police fired back at the men and one was shot and killed while two others escaped. A female, who was reportedly in the vehicle, was accosted.

An illegal weapon was also reportedly found in the car.

The incident occurred around 1 p.m. but, up to late in the evening, a police team assisted by the Jamaica Defence Force was still combing the area for the two alleged accomplices.

Prior to Elliston’s release, he had spent five years and five months in custody.

In an interview with The Gleaner at the Supreme Court after he was freed, he denied any involvement in criminal activities or ever being a gang member.

“ A bare false charges,” he had said then.

According to him, his only wish was to see his six-year-old daughter who had not seen him for most of her life.

Elliston, during that interview, advised youths who were contemplating getting involved in crime to choose another route.

“Badness nuh pay none at all. Just stay inna school like Kartel say and get yuh education and mek you parents proud.”

Elliston was among 32 males, including alleged gang leader Andre ‘Blackman’ Bryan, and a woman, Stephanie Christie, who were charged on an indictment with 25 counts under the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organizations) Act and the Firearms Act, for crimes allegedly committed between 2015 and 2019.

But, following the trial’s completion, only 15 persons were convicted, including Blackman and Christie.

The sentencing, which has been delayed, is scheduled for September 25.

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.