Dad, son shot in police incident as family forms human shield in Craig Town

Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) investigators began on Wednesday probing two separate police shooting incidents in Kingston, including one dramatic confrontation in Craig Town where a father and son were shot and injured.

The injured men have been identified as 22-year-old Gawayne Pothemont, otherwise called “Chris”, and his 60-year-old father Garey Pothemont, otherwise called “Dye”, both of 6 Madden Street, Kingston 12.

Police say the two were shot during an alleged armed confrontation with lawmen in the community.

Both men were later rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital for treatment.

Investigators reported that a Taurus 9mm pistol fitted with a magazine containing one cartridge was allegedly seized during the incident.

Dramatic videos now circulating on social media appear to show the younger Pothemont’s mother and sister using their bodies as human shields while police attempted to remove him from the scene after the shooting.

Meanwhile, INDECOM was also processing a second fatal police shooting scene along Princess Street at the intersection with Charles Street in downtown Kingston.

An unidentified man was shot and killed during another police operation in the area.

While the deceased has not yet been formally identified, sources told The Gleaner the man is believed to be a teenager.

Investigations into both incidents remain ongoing.

- Andre Williams

Since the start of the year, INDECOM has launched probes into 131 fatal shootings involving members of the security forces, with 16 of those deaths recorded so far in May.