Family accuses security forces of ‘cold-blooded murder’ in Spanish Town double killing
Published:Saturday | August 10, 2024 | 12:09 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
In a tense and tragic turn of events, 20-year-old Thierry Headley was shot and killed during a security forces operation in the Backland community of Jones Avenue in Spanish Town, St Catherine, on Wednesday morning.
The incident has ignited outrage among family members and residents, who are disputing the police’s account, labelling the killing as a “cold-blooded murder”.
According to police reports, the security forces were conducting a cordon and search operation when they encountered armed men who allegedly fired upon them.
The law enforcement officers reportedly returned fire, resulting in the deaths of Headley and Olando Davis, also known as ‘Blacks’. A third man allegedly escaped. The police claimed to have seized a Springfield rifle with two live rounds during the operation.
However, family members and residents took to the streets yesterday, accusing the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) of a cover-up and demanding justice.
Shacqella Headley, the elder sibling of the deceased, refuted the police’s version, stating that there was no forced entry into her brother’s room, suggesting that Thierry was called out by the officers.
“About 5:30 police a do them thing, a run down badman and them run in his yard and them shot him also. We know they called him out because there is no force entry on his room. Furthermore, the side of the house where he was, the badman didn’t go there,” Shacqella told The Gleaner.
SPREADING BAD INFORMATION
She insisted that her brother was not involved in any criminal activities.
“We are out here because they have his name out there saying he is a badman and that’s not so. He is an electrician, a footballer, and a musician. He is beloved by the community, he is a brother, a son, and a lover. We want justice; we are not satisfied with the INDECOM investigation so far. They have not spoken to us. We want justice,” Shacqella said.
Another relative also expressed disbelief at the police’s account.
“Mi want the police to come and show us where are the gunshot holes in the zinc fence to say that Thierry was shooting at them,” the relative said.
“A call them call him out after they killed the criminal and shot him and then spread bad information in the media about my nephew.”
INDECOM has stated that it is continuing its investigation and is urging family members to cooperate by providing any relevant evidence.