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Man killed at Drax Hall football match
Published: Wednesday | May 5, 2010
One man who was a spectator at a St Ann Division One football match at Drax Hall, St Ann, was shot and killed during a disturbance at the venue yesterday afternoon.
Another spectator escaped serious injury after being grazed by a bullet, as the police tried to calm the disturbance.
The incident triggered protests from residents of Steer Town and other areas who, up to 8:00 last night, were mounting roadblocks along sections of the Drax Hall and Steer Town main roads.
Superintendent of police, Gary Griffiths, confirmed the shooting incident, saying one off-duty policeman was at the venue when the incident occurred.
"After the match, a fracas developed, and an off-duty officer intervened and shots were fired," Griffiths told The Gleaner.
Reports reaching The Gleaner are that the two men were shot by the police.
The match, between Steer Town and Volvo, was in progress when it is alleged that some disgruntled Steer Town footballers who were dropped from the team for undisciplined behaviour became boisterous. Bottles were thrown on the field, prompting the referee to blow off the match after 70 minutes. During the ensuing disturbance, a plainclothes policeman who was part of the security team at the match venue attempted to disperse the crowd.
Warning shots
The policeman allegedly drew his weapon to fire warning shots in the air when it accidentally went off and hit two persons.
"Before him coulda put it in a di air it go off, blow off the man head," one man told The Gleaner.
A second shot reportedly hit another spectator. The Gleaner was unable to ascertain the identity of the victim up to press time.
Last night Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and Member of Parliament for North East St Ann, Shahine Robinson, urged constituents to remain calm and not be tempted into acts of violence following the incident.
Yesterday's shooting was the third disturbance at a football match in recent days, following incidents in St Elizabeth and St Mary.
PRESS RELEASE
Shahine Robinson urges calm following shooting at football match
Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and Member of Parliament for North East St. Ann, the Hon Shahine Robinson, in a statement this evening urged constituents to remain calm and not be tempted into acts of violence, following the shooting death of one person and the injury of another at a football match in Drax Hall this afternoon.
Ms. Robinson expressed profound condolences and regrets at the shooting death of Eldon Johnson, and expressed her sympathy for the injured Ricardo Riley and the hope for his full and early recovery. Both men are from the Steer Town area of St. Ann.
The Minister said that it was unfortunate that a game of football, organised for its recreational and socialization value, should deteriorate into a scene of deadly violence, despite the presence of the police. She said that, as Member of Parliament, she recognizes that a lot more has to be done to promote the resolution of disputes between these communities in a more peaceful and civilized manner.
In the meantime, she has asked the residents not to be lured into committing acts which will only increase tensions, prolong the violence and destroy the physical infrastructure at a time when funds to repair them are obviously scarce. She also called on the police to do a full and thorough investigation into the incident and take appropriate action.
“I am appealing to the supporters of both teams, as well as residents affected by today’s events, not to take the law into their own hands, but to allow the process of justice to take its course,” she said.
Mrs. Robinson assured the residents that justice will be done, as long as those who witnessed the incident fulfill their duties as citizens and give fair and honest statements on the occurrences. She said that eventually the goal must be to repair the breach, restore respect for life and property and encourage more peaceful means of resolving issues.
For further information contact: Hon Shahine Robinson # 371-4286
Published: Wednesday | May 5, 2010
One man who was a spectator at a St Ann Division One football match at Drax Hall, St Ann, was shot and killed during a disturbance at the venue yesterday afternoon.
Another spectator escaped serious injury after being grazed by a bullet, as the police tried to calm the disturbance.
The incident triggered protests from residents of Steer Town and other areas who, up to 8:00 last night, were mounting roadblocks along sections of the Drax Hall and Steer Town main roads.
Superintendent of police, Gary Griffiths, confirmed the shooting incident, saying one off-duty policeman was at the venue when the incident occurred.
"After the match, a fracas developed, and an off-duty officer intervened and shots were fired," Griffiths told The Gleaner.
Reports reaching The Gleaner are that the two men were shot by the police.
The match, between Steer Town and Volvo, was in progress when it is alleged that some disgruntled Steer Town footballers who were dropped from the team for undisciplined behaviour became boisterous. Bottles were thrown on the field, prompting the referee to blow off the match after 70 minutes. During the ensuing disturbance, a plainclothes policeman who was part of the security team at the match venue attempted to disperse the crowd.
Warning shots
The policeman allegedly drew his weapon to fire warning shots in the air when it accidentally went off and hit two persons.
"Before him coulda put it in a di air it go off, blow off the man head," one man told The Gleaner.
A second shot reportedly hit another spectator. The Gleaner was unable to ascertain the identity of the victim up to press time.
Last night Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and Member of Parliament for North East St Ann, Shahine Robinson, urged constituents to remain calm and not be tempted into acts of violence following the incident.
Yesterday's shooting was the third disturbance at a football match in recent days, following incidents in St Elizabeth and St Mary.
PRESS RELEASE
Shahine Robinson urges calm following shooting at football match
Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and Member of Parliament for North East St. Ann, the Hon Shahine Robinson, in a statement this evening urged constituents to remain calm and not be tempted into acts of violence, following the shooting death of one person and the injury of another at a football match in Drax Hall this afternoon.
Ms. Robinson expressed profound condolences and regrets at the shooting death of Eldon Johnson, and expressed her sympathy for the injured Ricardo Riley and the hope for his full and early recovery. Both men are from the Steer Town area of St. Ann.
The Minister said that it was unfortunate that a game of football, organised for its recreational and socialization value, should deteriorate into a scene of deadly violence, despite the presence of the police. She said that, as Member of Parliament, she recognizes that a lot more has to be done to promote the resolution of disputes between these communities in a more peaceful and civilized manner.
In the meantime, she has asked the residents not to be lured into committing acts which will only increase tensions, prolong the violence and destroy the physical infrastructure at a time when funds to repair them are obviously scarce. She also called on the police to do a full and thorough investigation into the incident and take appropriate action.
“I am appealing to the supporters of both teams, as well as residents affected by today’s events, not to take the law into their own hands, but to allow the process of justice to take its course,” she said.
Mrs. Robinson assured the residents that justice will be done, as long as those who witnessed the incident fulfill their duties as citizens and give fair and honest statements on the occurrences. She said that eventually the goal must be to repair the breach, restore respect for life and property and encourage more peaceful means of resolving issues.
For further information contact: Hon Shahine Robinson # 371-4286
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