radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
The off-duty police officer who shot and killed Jamie Walker in front of his children told police that he fired because Walker had tried to grab his gun. He also told investigators that Walker was smoking marijuana.
However, this was denied by witnesses who were at the scene, who said Walker went to purchase food for his family when he was killed following an argument with the policeman about a parking space.
The Special Reserve Police officer who was moonlighting as a guard at WE Supermarket, Naparima-Mayaro Road, told police that around 4 pm he noticed Walker seated in a Nissan B15 parked in the supermarket’s car park, smoking. The officer claimed Walker was “smoking a cigarette of unusual length and a strong pungent odour emanating".
The policeman claimed that when he spoke to Walker about smoking in a public place an argument ensued and he was attacked. The policeman claimed Walker hit him several times and then he felt Walker grabbing for his firearm which was on his right side waist, so he grabbed the firearm and shot Walker twice.
Three of Walker's children–ages 13, eight, and four–were sitting in the car when their father was shot.
However, witnesses told police that Walker started arguing with the policeman over a parking issue. Walker's wife, Heather Sedeno-Walker, said she was across the street waiting to buy food when she heard the policeman arguing with her husband.
“While I was waiting, I was hearing arguing. So I came out and I saw him and the guy arguing. I said, What going on? The kids are in the car. Why allyuh getting on like that? With that they scramble, they separated and throwing talk. Another man said, ‘Allyuh be careful, that man has a gun.’”
Walker was shot twice and died at the scene while his children screamed.
Police seized a pistol and 28 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Video footage from the supermarket was also taken. The supermarket remained open for business yesterday but the owner and employees did not want to comment. An autopsy will be done on the body tomorrow.