Man killed in an alleged family dispute by off duty police officer

According to the Jamaica Gleaner, 21-year-old man named Alex Williams from Savannah Cross, Clarendon, was fatally shot by an off-duty policeman following an altercation on Saturday. During the incident, it is reported that Williams tried to attack the officer with a machete and was subsequently shot.

Contrary to the accounts published, relatives of the individual in question tell a contrasting narrative. Several family members of dead man have indicated that the Gleaner’s report contains multiple inaccuracies, one of which is the person’s name. A relative, known as Tita, clarified in a statement to Jamaica Live that the correct name is Alex Smith, not Alex Williams as previously stated by the Gleaner.

In a statement provided by the family members, the family have been involved in a family dispute about land and property. An individual referred to as “Ina” to protect her identity, and whom Jamaica Live has learned is the grand-aunt of the deceased, has been involved in multiple altercations with various family members, including the deceased, Alex Smith.

The family has disclosed information suggesting that the police officer implicated in the shooting death of Alex Smith had previous encounters with him. The officer, who is assigned to the Longville Park police station in Clarendon, is reported to have visited the property on another occasion and secured the property with burglar bars and a padlock to prevent Alex Smith from entering. The family said that Alex had to forcibly remove the lock to regain entry to the residence, where is his home since birth.

According to the family, on the afternoon of Saturday, April 20th, at approximately 4:30 PM, a woman identified as Ina (not her real name) and men arrived at the premises. Inside the residence at the time was Alex Smith—the victim—alongside his girlfriend, who was visiting from England. In a forceful manner, Ina (not her real name) and her companions opened the door with the intention of confronting Alex.

In response to the intrusion, Alex instructed his girlfriend to remain indoors while he stepped outside to engage with Ina (not her real name) and her associates. The girlfriend, who stayed inside, reported that she subsequently heard what sounded like gunshots. Initially, she mistook the noise for fireworks due to her unfamiliarity with such situations. Her account continued, stating that she heard Alex crying in pain, and upon looking outside, she witnessed him staggering back toward the house. He collapsed to the ground shortly thereafter. Family members immediately came to his aid and transported him to a medical facility, where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.

According to Alex’s girlfriend, the possibility of Alex carrying a machete was not true, as he had exited the house unarmed to converse with Ina (not her real name) and the others.

An official statement was made by the entire family during an interview with Jamaica Live, adamantly denying that Alex was in possession of a machete at the time of the incident. A close relative of Alex, who was purportedly present at the scene and witnessed the encounter between Alex and the law enforcement officer said she recognized the officer, citing previous visits he had made to the property allegedly at Ina’s (not her real name) request.

Another family member, Tita, has alleged that the off-duty police officer, known to them personally as he had previously worked as a plumber at the deceased’s family residence, was responsible for the shots that resulted in Alex’s death. The claim is that Alex suffered five gunshot wounds, three to his back and another two to his front.

Allegations have been made that the off-duty officer not only brandished his firearm but also menaced onlookers who were vocally responding to the incident. Representatives from the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), Crime Stop, the police force, and the military have reportedly arrived at the scene and are currently conducting thorough inquiries into the incident.

The family wishes to make it clear that their primary goal is to ensure that the full and accurate story concerning their loved one, Alex Smith, is made public.