Man killed in police shooting

Residents in the Omara Road community of St Andrew are furious after a 39-year-old man was shot dead by police on Monday, an incident they are calling a cold-blooded murder.

The deceased has been identified as Ucal Bliss, who, according to neighbours, was a "God-fearing and loving person". Despite the presence of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), residents expressed doubt that justice will be served.

"INDECOM just a tek statement. How much police you see a go a prison fi kill innocent people when people see wid them eye police kill man and say a shoot out? Shoot and ask questions after, a that police do," one person said.

A woman who is one of Bliss' babymothers, said he did everything for his children.

"Mi just drop in when me can. Mi nuh have it so me nuh know what me ago do," she said. A number of persons strongly disputed that Bliss was a fugitive.

"Man weh a hide nah deh pon front page every day. A regular him deh out yah so after him drop off him kids a school. The only thing the man do a sell him likkle weed," one man said.

"Ask dem (police) what kind a operation dem deh pon. Nothing nah gwaan round here. A Chisholm [Avenue] a flare up from wah day yah and you nuh see police a kill man down deh."

Commanding Officer for the St Andrew South Police Division, Superintendent Damion Manderson, confirmed there was a fatal encounter in the area.

"The team is still finishing up on the scene so as soon as they do I will be able to speak further," Manderson told THE STAR. He characterised reports of widespread unrest in nearby Chisholm Avenue as an overstatement

"A young man's father died and left a property he went to claim. Hoodlums in the community thought otherwise and a confrontation ensued between a police officer ... who is an associate of that individual and men from the community. This resulted in four persons being shot including one of the perpetrators," Manderson explained.

He said the police will continue working with the community and all the stakeholders to ensure that the space is maintained.

"Is there work to be done? Today is a sign and a signal to that, that there is still a work to be done in there... and we continue to appeal to residents to continue to work with us, share whatever information they have, and to ensure that we build a safer Kingston 13," he said.

Manderson said that the police "will ensure on our part that the investigation element is done thoroughly, and it is done professionally to ensure that our stakeholders are satisfied".

The latest data from INDECOM show that 33 persons have been killed in confrontations with police since the start of the year. The island recorded 311 police fatal shootings in 2025, a 65 per cent increase over the previous year.

- T.P.