Man fatally shot, cop wounded during police operation in St. Catherine

 

A man was fatally shot and a police corporal wounded during a police operation in Ebony Vale, St. Catherine on Thursday morning. 

 

The deceased is 40-year-old Damion Henry, a resident of the community. 

 

It's reported that, about 9 a.m., a police team conducted an operation at a house occupied by Mr. Henry. During the operation, he was fatally shot and a weapon seized. 

 

A corporal sustained a bullet wound and is said to be in serious condition. 

 

But a resident who spoke with Radio Jamaica News alleged that Mr. Henry was taken inside his house and shot. He claimed that Mr. Henry was not a known criminal in the community. 

 

Meanwhile, speaking with Radio Jamaica News at the scene, commanding officer for the Area 5 Police, Assistant Commissioner Christopher Phillips, said Henry was shot during an intelligence-led operation targeting wanted men. 

 

"Well, there was an operation in this community earlier. There was a serious confrontation, I was told, between the police and a man who goes by the name 'Pinky'. During that process, we have a corporal who was shot and injured. He's now being treated at hospital. [It's] pretty concerning, but we continue to monitor his condition at this time. The other person involved was also taken to the Spanish Town Hospital where, I understand, he was later pronounced dead. A firearm was also seized during the process," he outlined. 

 

ACP Phillips said the High Command is concerned about a recent surge in shootings in the St. Catherine North Police Division. 

 

"We have been seeing a slight uptick in shootings within the St. Catherine North Division since week and it's of concern. But we continue to press on and to follow where the intelligence is directing us because the truth be told we don't want to lose the momentum that we have gained," said the senior cop, who lamented that an officer was wounded in Thursday's incident.