Former People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for Central Kingston, Lawrence Rowe, is now at the centre of a controversy as a video of him armed with a knife while aggressively confronting a man circulates. On the heels of the video, Rowe has stepped forward with claims of self-defence.
Rowe defended his actions and reportedly provided evidence of him allegedly being attacked, according to Nationwide News. Speaking to the local news outlet, Rowe insisted the video does not show the full story, which he said began with him attempting to catch vandals in the act on Monday night.
According to Rowe, he saw supporters of his successor, Steve McGregor, allegedly vandalising property and attempting to film them. While he was recording the individuals, a verbal altercation ensued. The dispute reportedly involved a man threatening his life. When the police were called to the scene, the alleged vandals left.
Rowe says he later visited the Allman Town Police Station to report the incident to the police, as advised by the authorities. According to the media, the receipt of the report lists the incident as involving a ‘threat’ and ‘malicious destruction of property’.
Hours after the incident, the man reportedly showed up with a group of four men when Rowe was hanging out with a group of women. One of the men was allegedly holding a board while the other kept one hand on his waist. Rowe claims that his attacker grabbed him by the shirt. Rowe says that this was when he was forced to arm himself with a knife to defend himself, per the report.
According to Nationwide News, Rowe also submitted a picture of a seemingly ripped shirt that was damaged in the altercation. A video of the altercation, which emerged Tuesday evening, shows Rowe with a knife and using expletives while confronting a man at a location.
