In the predawn hours of Friday, May 9, 2025, the quiet communities of St. Andrew and Westmoreland, Jamaica, were shattered by the sound of gunfire. Four men lost their lives in three separate confrontations with police, marking a grim milestone in a year already marred by escalating violence. The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), Jamaica’s police oversight body, confirmed the incidents, noting that 119 people have been killed by security forces since January 1, a staggering increase from the 189 recorded for the entirety of 2024. The weight of these numbers hangs heavy over a nation grappling with crime, gang violence, and questions about the use of lethal force by law enforcement.
The first incident unfolded around 4 a.m. in Salisbury Plain, a close-knit community in St. Andrew. Kemar Lewis, a local man, was killed inside a house on Paradise Road during what police described as a confrontation. According to residents, several children were present in the home at the time. They recounted a chilling sequence of events: police officers reportedly instructed the children to retreat to a bathroom before gunfire erupted. When the echoes of the shots faded, Lewis was dead, and an illegal firearm was allegedly recovered at the scene. The details remain murky, with INDECOM investigators still piecing together the circumstances. The presence of children in such a volatile situation has sparked outrage among community members, who are demanding answers about the operation’s execution and the necessity of lethal force.
Just hours later, in Bull Bay, St. Andrew, two more men were killed along the Shooters Hill main road. The police have yet to release their identities, and details about the encounter remain scarce. INDECOM reported that its teams were dispatched to the scene to collect evidence and interview witnesses, but the lack of transparency has fueled speculation and distrust among residents. Bull Bay, like much of St. Andrew, has been plagued by gang activity, and police operations targeting suspected criminals are not uncommon. Yet, the frequency of fatal outcomes has raised concerns about whether these encounters could have been resolved without bloodshed.
The third incident occurred in Kings Valley, a rural area in Grange Hill, Westmoreland. Another man, whose identity remains unknown, was killed during a police operation. Grange Hill has long been a flashpoint for gang violence, with rival factions like the King Valley Gang and the Ants Posse Gang vying for control. In recent years, the area has seen curfews, increased police presence, and even school closures due to threats. The death of this fourth man adds to the community’s growing sense of despair, as residents yearn for a return to peace.
INDECOM’s role in investigating these incidents is critical, as Jamaica seeks to balance public safety with accountability. The commission has repeatedly called for the mandatory use of body-worn cameras by police, particularly during planned operations, to provide clarity in such cases. Reports indicate that no body cameras were used in these latest incidents, a recurring issue that has drawn criticism from human rights groups like Jamaicans for Justice. The absence of video evidence complicates efforts to determine whether the use of force was justified, leaving families and communities with more questions than answers.
The police Corporate Communications Unit has promised to release further details, but for now, the communities of Salisbury Plain, Bull Bay, and Kings Valley are left to mourn. These deaths are not just statistics; they are sons, brothers, and neighbors, each loss rippling through families and fueling a broader debate about policing in Jamaica. As INDECOM continues its investigations, the nation watches closely, hoping for transparency and justice in a year that has already seen too much bloodshed.