Fatal shooting mars high school fun day

A day meant for fun at Winston Jones High School in Pratville, Manchester, took a tragic turn yesterday when a young man was fatally shot, reportedly by the police. Several students were also reportedly injured.

Jamar Clark, a resident of Manchester, was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital by his uncle.

According to Sheryl Pasco-Blake, a cousin of the deceased, Jamar was at the sporting event at the school with friends and family. They later went to an after-party, where a commotion broke out.

To defuse the situation, Pasco-Blake said Jamar reportedly decided to leave the party, taking his cousin, who was involved in the commotion, into his car. As they were driving away to pick up others who had accompanied them, shots rang out, causing the car to lose control.

Recounting the incident, Pasco-Blake shared with The Gleaner that, “They went to the sporting event, and they had an after-party. Apparently there was some commotion going on, so they wanted to leave the party. My other cousin was involved in the commotion, so Jamar took him into the car, put him in the back of the car and decided that they were going home.

“So, he drove off, went to turn the car and come back to pick up the others because it was a few of them that went into the car with him. When he was driving pass to pick up the others they heard gunshots. My brother said he saw the car losing control. That was when he realised that Jamar got shot.”

Pasco-Blake continued, “My brother said he asked the policeman 'did you shoot him?' And he said 'yes, yu no see di man swing after me with the car'.”

Aldeano Hamilton, a student, shared with The Gleaner that he was injured in the aftermath of the incident.

According to Hamilton, the driver attempted to manoeuvre the car, trying to leave the premises, hitting him, a bike and several other persons. As the situation escalated, he said the police intervened, ultimately resorting to lethal force when the driver failed to comply with commands from the cops.

Several persons from the communities of Asia and Lancaster took to the streets in protest following the shooting. The matter was reported to the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).

The Gleaner reached out to the Asia Police Department, but Sergeant L. McLean, the officer in charge, was unavailable for a comment.

Investigations are ongoing.

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