Jamaica Police Brass Issue Warning To Criminals Who Shot And Injured Police Officer

KINGSTON, Jamaica, April 22, 2019 (CMC) – A senior police officer has said that three persons, wanted in connection with the shooting of a police officer, in St. James, on the north-west end of Jamaica, has to determine for themselves whether to surrender or allow the police to come and get them.

Superintendent, Vernon Ellis, the commanding officer for the St. James police, said that when criminals attack the police, they are also attacking the State.

Constable, Brandon Murray, was shot in the troubled Norwood community and, Ellis said, he suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and shoulder.

“We are not going to ask them to turn themselves in; that is a choice they will have to make,” Ellis is quoted as saying in the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, today.

“We have three persons of interest out there, and we intend to get them, so the choice as to what they do, is entirely up to them.”

Ellis said he believed that one of the attackers was shot, when the police officer returned fire.

“When criminals attack the police, they are attacking the State’s last line of defence, so needless to say, the people are expecting a response from the police, and we are not going to disappoint them,’” the senior police officer said, urging residents to remain calm and support the efforts of the police to rid the various communities of criminals.

“This is bad in the holy season of Easter, but I find comfort in Romans 13 verse 4 (But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil,”) said Ellis.

Police figures show that since the state of emergency was lifted in January, there have been 48 murders so far in St. James, as compared to 29, for the similar period in 2018.

St. James is also leading all other police divisions, in relation to murders.