"Yuh hit me." Those were the words Police Constable Clarence Gilkes uttered to one of his colleagues before collapsing on the ground in Rich Plain, Diego Martin, on April 22. He died minutes later at the St James Medical Complex.
The bullet had struck Gilkes in the back of his neck. It ricocheted and went into his head.
Gilkes' killing sparked outrage and controversy after the officers pointed fingers at Jehlano Romney, the man they had gone to the area that day to arrest.
Gilkes and four other officers had gone to Rich Plain after they had received information that Romney and two other men had been seen in the area, allegedly brandishing high-powered weapons.
Police officers on the scene of the shooting that day had claimed that Romney was responsible for killing Gilkes.
When Gilkes fell to the ground, he was rushed to the St James Medical Complex, and the officers did not waiver from their story that Romney fired at them, and they returned fire. This was noted in the medical report that was given to doctors at the St James Medical Complex, in which the officers indicated that they "were on patrol and were shot at," leaving Gilkes wounded.
Sources told Guardian Media that this was the information later relayed to a senior officer of the Western Division, who contacted Acting Commissioner Mc Donald Jacob, who arrived in the Rich Plain area.
Romney vehemently denied he had killed Gilkes. The residents also claimed vociferously that Romney was not Gilkes' killer. They claimed the officers were not telling the truth and had abused their power.
Then came Acting Police Commissioner Mc Donald Jacob's statement: "They, not we. They have declared war on the Police Service, and I think that is the worst mistake anyone could make…when you touch one police officer, you have touched all." Jacob was adamant that civilians in the area had attacked and shot at police officers.
A public furore ensued and the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) was engaged.
The officers all gave similar statements to the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) and their accounts of what transpired were also later sent to the PCA, according to well-placed sources.
But the account given by the four officers, according to information obtained by Guardian Media from several inside sources, did not add up, and this led the PCA to conclude in a press release last Thursday that their actions were tantamount to an "abuse of power" and that they had deliberately misled Jacob.
His stinging condemnation of civilians in the area after the shooting has since landed him in hot water with residents in Rich Plain.
Police officers at the scene where Police Constable Clarence Gilkes was shot in Rich Plain Road, Diego Martin.
SHIRLEY BAHADUR
The Acting CoP, who spoke briefly to Guardian Media on Friday afternoon when contacted, said, "Decisive action was taken after the forensic evidence was obtained. Apart from the PCA report, there is still a process the TTPS has to follow, and we will have to evidence statements and talk to other people who may have spoken to the PCA and get their statements notarised. The TTPS has a mandate and legal responsibility."
When questioned whether he would apologise to residents of Rich Plain, Jacob said there was much work to be done, there was still a proper procedure to follow, and it was important that we adhere to this. Jacob said he wanted to err on the side of caution, as pre-publicity before the courts could affect the eventual outcome of the case.
In a statement following the PCA's release, however, Jacob assured residents that the authorities will adhere to the law regarding the investigation into the shooting of Gilkes.
According to sources, several civilian witnesses and police officers have already given statements in this matter to the PSB and the PCA. The PCA has since sent its recommendations and findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commissioner of Police.
Senior police sources said that the PSB obtained "significant evidence" and information and was hoping to approach the DPP in a "short while" for further direction on the matter.
Guardian Media understands that the three officers who have since been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation could face a host of disciplinary and criminal charges.
The disciplinary charges can stem from discreditable conduct to falsehood, while on the criminal side, sources said, they can possibly face charges of murder, attempted murder, and perverting the course of justice.
What really happened?
Meanwhile, members of the public are still trying to find out what really happened on that day.
Information obtained by Guardian Media indicates that on the tragic day when Gilkes lost his life, the officers had divided themselves into three groups. Gilkes and four of the officers went to Rich Plain, the second group of officers circled around the back of the community, and the third headed to the West End Police Station to lend support.
According to the information, Gilkes was in front and followed by three officers, while the fourth officer was left near the patrol vehicle. Shortly after, Gilkes confronted Romney near a dirt track and ordered him not to move.
Several witnesses indicated that Romney complied and placed his hands in the air. Romney was facing Gilkes almost directly. It was at this point three shots were heard and Gilkes uttered "Yuh hit me," before collapsing to the ground. Romney ran off while one of the officers ran to Gilkes' assistance.
Gilkes was rushed to the hospital by his colleagues, where he passed away.
A post-mortem performed on Gilkes revealed he was shot once in the neck from behind, and the bullet ricocheted and went into his head.
But it was conclusive forensic evidence that was able to sway the blame away from Romney. Investigations revealed that it was a police-issued M&P Smith and Wesson pistol that fired the fatal shot, making the officers allegedly culpable for the act.
The PCA's press release on Thursday said that the evidence they uncovered revealed that the "officers shot at an unarmed civilian and, unfortunately, Gilkes became an unintended target."
Romney still fears for his life
On Friday, in an interview with Guardian Media's Carisa Lee, Romney claimed that even though he had been cleared of wrongdoing in the death of Gilkes, the police were still targeting him and terrorising him. He said, "They doh come to my house but they does be right outside on the hill pointing out and showing other officers where I living and these kinds of thing."
In May, Romney, during an exclusive interview with senior Guardian Media reporter Otto Carrington, said he wept after he was cleared of being a suspect in Gilkes' death.
"I shed tears of joy, especially when I heard the commissioner say that I am no longer a suspect. All I wanted to do was to go home badly but then again, my reality has not changed as police officers still look at me as the suspect.
"I was told that despite I am not a suspect, I was the cause of the police officer’s death, and I can tell the Police Service operates as a gang, so I have my fears. To me, nothing is over in this incident as yet, things are still happening, and I am still frightened. I am in constant contact with the Police Complaints Authority, and they say they are trying to arrange a safe house for me or even seek asylum in a next country, because I know the capabilities of the police," Romney had said.