Cops, army launch probes after soldier shot in foot
Published:Friday | December 30, 2022 | 1:29 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
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The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has remained mum after a service member reportedly sustained a self-inflicted wound while on duty at a checkpoint in St Andrew Thursday morning. The private remains in hospital after he accidentally discharged a...
The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has remained mum after a service member reportedly sustained a self-inflicted wound while on duty at a checkpoint in St Andrew Thursday morning.
The private remains in hospital after he accidentally discharged a round from his service rifle, which caught him in the region of his ankle, according to preliminary reports.
No other injury was reported.
Up to press time, the army had not released a statement on the matter, and efforts by The Gleaner to get an official statement were unsuccessful. The JDF said it was not yet in a position to comment but said that an investigation would be launched into the incident.
The police have also launched a probe into the shooting, which occurred some time after 4 a.m. under a tent at Mahoe Drive in the Cockburn Gardens community.
Head of the St Andrew South Police Division Senior Superintendent Kirk Ricketts confirmed the incident. He told The Gleaner that the injured soldier was assisted to the hospital by the police.
The divisional commander said information suggested that the injured soldier was in stable condition in hospital and should survive the incident.
When our news team visited the location on Thursday, bloodstains were visible on the tent and surface where the checkpoint is located.
Residents said that the soldiers, who they were accustomed to seeing, were in good spirits before the incident.
“We want to know what happen, too, so please investigate and mek we know,” one woman said, noting her concern.
Another resident said that when an explosion was heard, it was initially believed to have been the act of wrongdoers.
“We and dem deh here in a di night and one a dem a play di [gaming] box. Mi frighten fi wake and hear say one get shot,” one resident said.
The checkpoint is located close to a bar.
One resident sympathised with the injured soldier, citing fatigue.
“Dem must tired. A bare ZOSO (zone of special operations) and SOE (state of emergency) dem a do and affi deh a checkpoint hours pon hours. Mi hear a sleep him a sleep and it go off, and me hear a next argument say a play him a play with it. Dem no have nothing fi do because nothing nah gwan in a di community,” the resident said.