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KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) has identified a significant rise in fatalities during planned police operations (PPOs), attributing the trend to the increased deployment of Area Fugitive Apprehension Teams (AFATs). According to a Special Investigative Report tabled in the House of Representatives, AFATs, which accounted for less than 5% of PPO deployments and fatalities in 2022/23, now represent 50% of deployments and nearly half of all PPO-related deaths as of July 2025. This stark escalation contrasts sharply with 2019, when the disbandment of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Mobile Reserve command coincided with the lowest fatality figures in recent history—86 fatal shootings and only 10 PPO-related deaths. Indecom’s data reveals a concerning trajectory: in 2022, AFATs were involved in 5% of PPOs, resulting in 31 deaths; by 2025, their involvement surged to 51% of PPOs, with 97 fatalities recorded in just seven months. The AFATs, a specialized unit targeting violent criminals across divisional boundaries, were established to address the mobility and networking of high-profile offenders. However, Indecom has raised alarms about the lack of modern forensic protocols during operations, noting that recovered firearms are often improperly handled, compromising evidence integrity. The commission also highlighted the disproportionate involvement of senior officers with prior fatal shooting incidents in PPOs, with 11 operations under their command flagged as suspicious. Indecom’s findings underscore the urgent need for improved oversight and forensic practices to mitigate the rising toll of PPO-related fatalities.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A devastating fire at the Gallery Apartments on Oxford Road in New Kingston has resulted in the tragic death of a 70-year-old man, as confirmed by Courtney Thompson, assistant superintendent of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB). The incident occurred early Thursday morning, leaving the community in shock and mourning.

A devastating fire erupted at the Gallery Apartments on Oxford Road in New Kingston, Jamaica, in the early hours of Thursday morning, October 9, 2025. The blaze, which occurred after 3 a.m., has reportedly claimed the life of one individual, believed to be a male resident. The cause of the fire remains unknown as investigations continue. Emergency responders, including firefighters and police, swiftly arrived at the scene to manage the situation and assess the damage. The apartment complex, situated opposite Emancipation Park, was engulfed in flames, drawing a crowd of concerned onlookers. A vehicle from Tranquility Funeral Home was also spotted at the location, indicating the gravity of the incident. Observer Online has pledged to provide updates as more information emerges. The community is left in shock as authorities work to determine the cause and prevent future tragedies.

During a court hearing on Wednesday, a government forensic analyst presented crucial evidence in the trial of Constable Noel Maitland, who is accused of murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse. The case stems from the July 2022 disappearance of his girlfriend, Donna-Lee Donaldson, a social media influencer last seen at the Chelsea Manor complex in St Andrew. The forensic analyst detailed her findings from Maitland’s apartment, where she processed the living and dining room on July 21, 2022. She reported discovering bloodstains on curtains, suggesting an individual was injured inside the apartment. No signs of forced entry were observed, but the uppermost lock on the door was broken from the inside. Other notable findings included women’s clothing in a black suitcase, a removed kitchen mat, and various items such as a brown fiber barrel, a couch, and an air freshener. The analyst also examined a truck at Matilda’s Corner Police Station but found no blood evidence. Trial judge Leighton Pusey cautioned the seven-member jury against forming premature conclusions, emphasizing that more evidence is yet to be presented. The case was adjourned until today.

Jamaica’s education sector is reeling from a series of tragic incidents involving the brutal deaths of young children, prompting Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon to condemn the violence as “senseless and heart-rending.” The minister’s remarks came amid widespread shock over the discovery of 13-year-old Shantina Sergeant’s charred and decomposed body in Baillieston, Clarendon. Her father, Lawrence Oliver Sergeant, has been identified as a person of interest in the case. This tragedy follows the fatal shooting of four-year-old Shannon Gordon, who was among five victims killed in a gunfire attack in Commodore, St. Catherine, on Sunday. Speaking at the fifth-anniversary and ribbon-cutting ceremony of Christel House Jamaica in Spanish Town, Morris Dixon expressed her grief and frustration. “We are mourning today. I have to visit a school where sadness prevails, and I do this far too often,” she said. The minister highlighted the devastating loss of potential, emphasizing that these children should be in school, dreaming of their futures, instead of becoming victims of senseless violence. She also addressed the long-term psychological trauma inflicted on families and communities, urging continued efforts by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to reduce crime. Morris Dixon underscored the Ministry of Education’s commitment to mental health and psychosocial support, with counsellors and psychologists available to assist affected students and families. She called on Jamaicans to work together to create a safer environment where children can thrive, not merely survive. The minister’s plea comes as schools and communities grapple with the aftermath of these tragedies, with educators and counsellors providing comfort to grieving students.