FLA yet to interview firearm holder who shot security guard at apartment
Published:Monday | July 9, 2018 | 12:00 AMJason Cross/Gleaner Writer
The Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) has not yet interviewed the licensed firearm holder who shot and injured a security guard at the Braemar Estate apartment complex in St Andrew a week ago during an attempt by the guard to disarm the man.
Cleveland Crooks, director of compliance and enforcement at the FLA, told The Gleaner yesterday that the licensed firearm holder would be contacted again today.
"We called him, and he advised us that he needed to see his doctor, so we had to give him time to come in. We have not interviewed him yet. He has sought the services of an attorney and we are doing the necessary work to make sure we cover all angles," Crooks said.
"KingAlarm is cooperating. We have some interviews that are to be done [today] with other persons who were there. We are putting together all the videos and we will be touching base with him again [today]," he added.
Dahlia Garrick, head of the Corporate Communications Unit within the Jamaica Constabulary Force, explained yesterday that no one has been charged for any offence, as investigators are still piecing together evidence.
"We have to collect everything. I cannot speculate if [the firearm holder was wrong]. In some of the footage, things would be left up to speculation, as to what happened behind closed door. We have to understand what transpired," she said.
Video footage released of the incident last week depicted the licensed holder in a heated argument with a KingAlarm response team, shortly before the on-site security guard attempted to disarm the man.
Additional footage, recorded by a camera at the complex, shows a timeline prior to the shooting with the firearm holder closing the door after entering the guard's quarters with another man. They shortly emerged from the room and events escalated from there.
KingAlarm issued a statement last week outlining that members of their response team who were present on scene would face a disciplinary committee to know their fate, after video footage indicated that some members acted inappropriately on the scene. Yesterday, The Gleaner contacted KingAlarm's Executive Director John Azar for details on the outcome. However, he explained that an update would be given at a press conference to be held sometime this week.