Déjà vu for family of slain teen
Residents block road, say loaded gun was planted
Published:Thursday | January 11, 2024 | 12:11 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
It was a feeling of déjà vu for relatives of 14-year-old Rasheem Wilson, a student and resident of 100 Lane in St Andrew, after he was fatally shot during an alleged police operation mid-afternoon yesterday.
His grandmother, Michelle Dawkins, told The Gleaner that his father, Miguel Wilson, met a similar fate several years ago.
“Is not the first police come in the yard and fire shot … . Dem kill him father inna him sleep about seven years ago,” Dawkins said.
She told our news team that she was crying inside and was demanding justice for her grandson.
Rasheem is the second of three children for his mother.
She reportedly collapsed at the scene and had to seek medical treatment.
The Gleaner was told by residents that the policemen involved in the teen’s shooting compromised the crime scene in full view of onlookers.
“The little boy blood on their shoulders. A pure head shot dem give him. The little boy marrow leak out. Dem start cover the blood with sand and lift him up like dead dog, throw him inna the jeep back and gone. Mi know dem say when a police fatal shooting, they are not to trouble the body or the scene,” a resident said.
Another resident told The Gleaner that after Rasheem was killed, the police seemed surprised when they were told his age.
“When we tell dem a little boy, dem start ask how old is he … . A regular routine fi dem just push the gate and fire gunshot. Dem could a kill a baby or elderly. Dem nuh business. Dem talk say any boy round ya kill pickney weh dem a go do dem, and dem come do it,” a teary-eyed resident said.
In protest, they blocked a section of Red Hills Road.
However, that was short-lived as the heavy military and police presence that swooped down on the community quickly dispersed the crowd and cleared the blockage.
According to a report from the police, Wilson was fatally shot during a joint police-military operation on 100 Lane, Red Hills Road, St Andrew, about 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10.
One 9mm pistol fitted with a magazine containing fourteen 9mm rounds of ammunition were seized.
Residents refuted the gun find and told The Gleaner that the firearm was planted on the teen.
They allege that the Pembroke Hall High School student was sitting in his yard playing a game on his phone.
The Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau and the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) are probing the incident.
INDECOM in a release said they were informed of the scene at 2 p.m. and a team was dispatched for scene response.
“All concerned officers who discharged their weapons provided initial accounts to INDECOM investigators and were served with Section 21 Notices pursuant to the Independent Commission of Investigations Act, 2010, to submit statements and attend the office of the commission for interviews,” the release said.
Information, photos, and videos can be sent to INDECOM’s official WhatsApp at 876-553-5555. The original makers of video footage are especially encouraged to contact the commission to assist with the investigative enquiries.