Family seeks answers after teenager slain in alleged firefight
Published:Friday | August 26, 2022 | 12:10 AM
When an aunt of 16-year-old Narando Boothe heard gunshots ring out around 10:30 p.m. on Water Lane, Kingston, on Wednesday, she never thought the boy could have been the target of the explosions.
But that reality has sunk in as gloom hovers over Buildings 33 and 34 on Darling Street near Tivoli Gardens Thursday as grief-stricken friends and relatives gathered in the midst of blaring music and mourning.
The Denham Town High student, who would have started the 10th grade in September, was killed in an alleged shoot-out with the police around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday on Water Lane in Kingston.
His aunt, who only gave her name as Teisha, says the entire community is heartbroken. She was jolted from sleep by the sound of gunfire.
“When mi hear the explosion, mi run out o’ my bathroom. I never know say a my nephew a dead,” Teisha told The Gleaner.
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), the watchdog that investigates complaints against the police, confirmed that it was probing the fatal shooting, which reportedly involves a 15-year-old.
Boothe celebrated his 16th birthday on June 24.
Another man who was held in the incident reportedly claimed that he told the police he was 15 to avoid being killed, Teisha said.
“When the police ask him why, him tell dem lie. Him tell dem so because if him did tell dem him a 18, dem woulda kill him,” she said.
INDECOM said the man in custody has been interviewed.
The incident reportedly involved four men, two of whom escaped.
The watchdog said the police have stated that three law enforcers were on patrol when they were fired on by a group of four men.
After the police reportedly returned fire, one man surrendered, and Narando was discovered with gunshot injuries. He died at hospital.
The others escaped.
INDECOM said one board imitation firearm wrapped in black tape was reported as recovered from the scene.
Teisha is insisting that Narando was no wrongdoer and spent most of his time dancing and playing football.
“When him ready, him go him little party. The death shake the whole community, make everybody a cry,” the aunt said, shaking her head.
Teisha said the family had last seen the teenager on Wednesday when the man now in custody told Narando to go for a drive with friends.
The next time she saw him was as a cold corpse when she went to identify his body.
The boy’s father is reportedly distraught, and his mother, who resides overseas, is also struggling to cope.
“About three time him father drop down. ... If you go pon Facebook, everybody a ask bout him. Him nuh mix up inna crime or nothing.” Teisha asked.
She believes the police profile teenagers in urban centres as wrongdoers.
INDECOM said all concerned police personnel provided initial accounts of the incident to the investigative team and were each served a Section 21 Notice to provide a statement and to attend interviews.
INDECOM encourages the public to come forward with information by contacting the head office or sending information, photos, or videos to INDECOM’s official WhatsApp at (876)553-5555.