Toy gun in waistband | Family baffled as cop kills young man in Kellits

June 23, 2019 0 By Horace Mills

A baffled family in the Kellits area of Clarendon said it has been left with a number of unanswered questions as it tries to ascertain the motive behind the fatal shooting of a loved one in the town of Kellits last night, June 22.

The deceased, as reported here last night, is 25-year-old Princeton Johnson, otherwise called Benji, who is a resident of Kellits town. He was employed as a labourer.

Photos sent to The Beacon show Johnson lying on his back near the gas station in the town, attired in a red T-shirt, a pair of red shoes, and white jeans pants.

He also had a blue object, said to be a toy gun, in his waistband – as shown in the photo published on this page.

A close relative of the deceased told our news team this morning that Johnson is not mentally challenged and is not known to carry a toy gun.

The relative added that both Johnson and the police officer who did the shooting knew each other very well.

The officer is based at the Croft’s Hill Police Station, near Kellits.

It is not yet clear what prompted the shooting, which is now the subject of a probe by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).

“We can’t explain; we don’t know what is happening,” said one of Johnson’s relatives, who disclosed that INDECOM already contacted the family.

Speculations as to what may have caused the shooting have been rife. One claim is that Johnson was shot after he made certain derogatory remarks about the cop’s mother; another is that Johnson may have reached for his waistband. None of those versions has been confirmed by investigators.

This photo shows a section of Johnson’s body after he was shot. The blue objects in his waistband is said to be the handle of the toy gun.
Princeton Johnson, also known as Benji

Meanwhile, Johnson’s relative who spoke with The Beacon described the late resident as ‘very jovial’.

Johnson, who is a past-student of Kellits High School, also attended the state-owned skills training centre located in kellits.

WE also do obituaries, advertisement, and special coverage of funerals, birthday parties, weddings, and other milestones. Call or WhatsApp us at 876-305-4574 or emaail us at jamaicabeaconnews@gmail.com.