Residents protest cop killing of Wakefield farmer

Upset residents of Wakefield, Trelawny protested for a second straight day Wednesday over the shooting death of 30 year-old farmer, Jeffrey Richards by the police.

This morning, the residents blocked sections of the roadway which were later cleared by the police.

However, the people soon remounted the roadblocks.

Commanding Officer for the Trelawny Police, Superintendent Clive Blair, says the police have again cleared some of the blockage to allow for vehicular traffic.

According to Blair, the police are engaging community members to help ease tempers.

The Independent Commission of Investigations is probing the incident.

It reports that about 1:45 a.m on Tuesday, three police personnel from the Wakefield Police Station were carrying out a 'Snap Raid Operation.'

A

ccording to the police, they went to the house of the deceased man, knocked on the door and shouted: "Jeffery Richards, police come out!".

It is alleged that the deceased, armed with a machete, got out of the house through a back door and then there was a confrontation with the police.

Richards was shot during the confrontation.

INDECOM says the three officers have been interviewed and served with notices to provide INDECOM with their account of the incident. 

It also says the weapons of the cops were taken and packaged to be submitted to the Government Forensic Laboratory for analysis. 

INDECOM is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have information relating the killing to come forward and assist. 

CALL INDECOM:
Western Regional Office 1-876-971-1672 (Montego Bay, St. James)
Mobile number 1-876-878-0167
Toll Free Incident and Tip Lines: 1-888-935 -5550 (D) or 1-888-991-5555