Fatal shootings by security forces climb to 201 - INDECOM
Published:Friday | August 15, 2025 | 2:52 PM
Police fatalities in Jamaica have passed 200 since the start of the year.
Information compiled by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), up to August 14, shows that 201 Jamaicans have been killed in alleged confrontations with the security forces.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is responsible for 200 of the fatal shootings, while one involved a member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).
At this point last year, 104 people were reportedly killed by the security forces. This represents a 93 per cent increase in fatal police shootings year-on-year.
For all of 2024, there were 189 police-related fatalities. So far, 11 fatalities have been reported in August.
In the latest incident, a St Catherine man who allegedly pointed a gun at the police during an operation in Wakefield, Backlands, Linstead, was fatally shot yesterday.
He has been identified as Javian Johnson, otherwise called ‘Jay’, a resident of the area.
It is reported that around 6:00 a.m., police personnel were conducting targeted operations in Backlands when the team went to a premises where Johnson was accosted and the dwelling searched.
It is further reported that he then led the police to a Nissan motor car, allegedly entered the vehicle, grabbed a handgun, and pointed it at the officers.
The police reportedly took evasive action and fired, injuring Johnson.
The police say a Browning pistol with a magazine containing four 9mm cartridges was seized.
Johnson was assisted to the Linstead Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The monthly breakdown of fatalities since the start of the year is as follows: 28 in January, 28 in February, 25 in March, 30 in April, 25 in May, 26 in June, and 28 in July.
INDECOM says 41 JCF members have been charged following investigations conducted between 2024 and 2025.
- Andre Williams
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