Mentally Ill Ex-Convict Fatally Shot by Police at Grants Pen Station: Anthony Jones Dies after Attacking Officers and Damaging Vehicles

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Title: Mentally Ill Ex-Convict Fatally Shot by Police at Grants Pen Police Station in St Andrew

Subtitle: Incident Highlights the Urgent Need for Proper Training and Non-Lethal Weapons to Handle Mentally Ill Individuals

Date: November 28, 2023

Author: Andre Williams, Staff Reporter

In a tragic incident that unfolded late on a Saturday night, 29-year-old Anthony Jones, a mentally ill ex-convict, lost his life after being shot by the police at the Grants Pen Police Station in St Andrew. The distressing event occurred when Jones, who had been receiving treatment for schizophrenia since his release from prison in 2020, attacked law enforcement officers and caused significant damage to nine vehicles, including three service units.

The chaotic scene at the police station saw officers struggling to restrain and subdue Jones, who was armed with a knife and a piece of board. The situation escalated further until a female colleague intervened, discharging her service Glock pistol to protect herself and her colleagues. Sadly, the gunshot wound proved fatal, and Jones succumbed to his injuries at the Kingston Public Hospital.

According to reports, the incident took place around 11:30 p.m., when a team of officers heard loud commotion, including the sound of breaking glass and a man shouting profanities. Upon investigating, they discovered Jones in possession of a knife and a piece of board, actively damaging several vehicles on the police station’s compound. In addition to the vehicles’ destruction, four of them had their tires slashed.

Faced with the escalating threat, the police attempted to communicate with Jones and prevent further damage. However, he advanced towards a female constable, hurling threats and expletives, even brandishing the knife in an attempt to harm her. In fear for her life and the safety of her colleagues, she made the difficult decision to discharge her service Glock pistol, resulting in a single shot hitting Jones in the upper body.

Following the incident, Jones was rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead. The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has launched an inquiry into the fatal shooting to ensure transparency and accountability.

A relative of the deceased revealed that Jones had been receiving treatment for schizophrenia since his release from prison in 2020, where he had served a five-year sentence for illegal possession of a firearm. The relative further disclosed that Jones regularly attended treatment sessions at the Edna Manley Health Centre, situated at the back of the Grants Pen Police Station compound.

The damage inflicted on the service units of the police station has left the facility partially incapacitated, impacting its operational efficiency. Resources will now have to be redirected from neighboring stations to compensate for the loss. This incident has reignited calls from rank-and-file police personnel for the provision of non-lethal weapons to effectively handle volatile encounters with mentally ill individuals who may pose a threat.

Over the years, INDECOM has consistently emphasized the importance of training police officers to handle situations involving mentally ill individuals. In 2021, INDECOM reported that 35 incidents involving the police occurred in 2020, resulting in the shooting and killing or injury of individuals armed with weapons other than firearms. Shockingly, 22 of these incidents involved individuals suffering from unsound mental health.

As the investigation into this tragic event unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for enhanced training for law enforcement officers in dealing with mentally ill individuals. Additionally, the provision of non-lethal weapons can play a crucial role in minimizing the risk of fatal outcomes in such encounters.

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