(Jamaica Star) Family members of 14-year-old Yuhembi Brydson, who was allegedly shot and killed by members of a joint police/military patrol in Dexter Street, Westmoreland, on New Year’s Day, are demanding justice.
Another teen, who is said to be Yuhembi’s cousin, was also shot and is currently being treated at hospital.
Nayo Brydson, Yuhembi’s brother told THE STAR that the family would not cease until they have got justice.
“They said he had a gun, but no gun can be presented up to now, and normally when a police officer or a soldier kills a wrongdoer they normally stay on the scene until back-up comes, and then they will take the body away, but this did not happen in this case,” he said. “I was the one who took up my brother and had him in my hand, and then another cousin drove him to hospital, because I was stopped from driving him myself.”
Brydson said it was the norm for residents to congregrate at that specific area where his brother was shot on January 1.
Brydson said that explosions which sounded like gunshots were heard elsewhere in the area, but they were not coming from that location.
“The police misjudged the sounds of the gunshots, and fired upon an innocent crowd from long range, seven-year-old was there, 13-year-old was there, and their negligence resulted in my brother being killed, and my cousin being shot and injured.”
BRILLIANT STUDENT
Brydson said his brother attended the Petersfield High School in Westmoreland, and was a very brilliant student. He and other residents called on officials like the national security minister, the police commissioner and the prime minister to intervene.
The Westmoreland police reported that shortly after midnight last Friday, a joint miltary and police team was on patrol in the Dexter Street area of Savanna-la-Mar,when they were fired upon by a group of armed men.
According to the police, the gunfire was returned and shortly after the teenager was discovered suffering from gunshot wounds.
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) said it has commenced a probe into the shooting. INDECOM noted that no firearm was reported as being recovered at the scene.
INDECOM also stated that all the weapons of the concerned officers were collected for processing at the Government laboratory.