Fresh questions have been raised about police operations after a four-year-old boy was fatally shot in Granville, St James. An official report initially indicated that preliminary findings suggest that the child died as a result of actions taken by members of the security forces.
However, an updated version clarifies that it remains unclear who fired the fatal shot. The shooting in Granville involved the child and two others losing their lives during an alleged confrontation, and it is still under investigation.
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has stressed that the matter remains in its early stages and they await the results from forensic examinations to determine the sequence of events that led to the deadly outcome. A woman was also injured during the incident.
Deputy Commissioner of INDECOM, Yanique Taylor-Wellington, described the death of a child during a security operation as deeply concerning. She noted that while any loss of life is regrettable, incidents involving minors demand particular attention and reflection. According to Taylor-Wellington, the situation underscores the need for careful operational planning aimed at reducing the risk to civilians.
The child has been identified as four-year-old Romaine Bowman, who was reportedly shot while inside his home. After the deadly incident, the toddler’s mother and other relatives expressed outrage and grief, openly calling for accountability from the security forces.
Also killed in the Granville incident was 16-year-old Kevaun Martinez, making two minors among the three fatalities. In a separate police-related shooting in Bethel Town, Westmoreland, 15-year-old Romaine Campbell also lost his life. These cases form part of a troubling series of fatal encounters involving police during the early days of the year.
INDECOM reported that 14 people were killed by police within the first six days of the new year. The deaths resulted from several incidents across the island, including triple fatal shootings in Manchester and Clarendon on Monday, as well as other shootings in St James, Westmoreland, and Kingston.
With respect to the Granville operation, INDECOM said it was a joint police-military exercise and that investigators are awaiting additional forensic results to clarify how the fatal shots were fired. The commission has also referenced concerns raised in earlier reports, noting patterns where women and children are often removed from premises shortly before police open fire during planned operations.
As the investigation continues, INDECOM has maintained its call for stronger safeguards to prevent civilian deaths, especially in situations where children may be present.