Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force fatally shot a farmer during an early morning search operation in Linstead, St Catherine. Police say the deceased, Delton Johnson, a 31-year-old who raises livestock, brandished a firearm when they went to execute a search warrant at his home on January 8.
According to a report, a police team went to the residence in Cheesefield around 6:00 a.m. The reason for the operation was to search the premises for a firearm and wanted men. Dealton, also known as ‘Tea Bag’, was at the property and came to the door when police arrived.
He was accosted and searched by police, but he managed to break free and run away. Officers pursued him; he ran into a second building on the property. Police indicated that he was initially unarmed until he went inside the unfinished building, where a gun was reportedly hidden.
Police alleged that the farmer fetched a gun from under a bucket and aimed the weapon at officers. Officers, acting evasively, opened fire at Johnson. The farmer sustained gunshot wounds and reportedly collapsed with the weapon in his hand. Police allegedly seized the gun, which was later confirmed to be a. .38 revolver with serial numbers erased.
Johnson was transported to the Linstead Hospital, but he was pronounced dead when he arrived. The incident is now under review by the Independent Commission of Investigations, which is probing several other fatal police shootings in 2026.
The commission had expressed that it is concerning to see the fatal shootings already so high so early in the year, which has surpassed last year’s fatal shootings for the same period. The death toll for people killed by police officers has risen to 17 as of January 8, based on INDECOM’s report. Among the people killed during police operations are several minors.
Among the most concerning cases is the death of a 4-year-old in Granville, St James, who was killed during a joint military operation. Officials are investigating who fired the fatal shot, and the incident is being approached as a homicide.