Payne Land cries foul after resident shot by police

Residents of Payne Avenue in Payne Land were left fuming yesterday following the fatal shooting of a resident by members of the security forces.

Residents say Leonardo 'Teddy P' Heath was killed in cold blood seconds after he willingly opened his door for the lawmen to gain access to his premises.

"When the police dem come dis morning and carel (corral) di place, dem line up everybody and put them outside the lane and as dem jump the fence and go over Teddy yard, yuh just hear bare shots and that was it. Dem a say a confrontation with police and dem find gun on him but there is no way confrontation can happen and him fire shot and no police nuh get shot and we nuh see where his bullet dem go," said a relative.

According to police reports, about 7 a.m., officers were conducting a door-to-door operation in a section of the St Andrew community. Upon entering a yard, they pounced upon a male who pointed a firearm in their direction. The police took evasive action and the male was shot and injured. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead. A Glock 19mm pistol was taken from the deceased.

As investigators processed the scene, a group of women hurled strings of insults at them. An irate woman told the news team that the area has been violence free for close to two years and that former foes were now friends.

"Over one year dem join peace and the only time shot fire up here suh is on New Year's [Day] and ano in ya alone do dat a New Year's time. Di police dem did post Teddy up as being wanted and dem bring him in last year January and him never get any charge. Up to this week police pass him out here suh because him nah hide. So if dem did want him dem could come for him," she said.

Another of Heath's relatives said he was in an upbeat mood just hours before his death, playing bingo with others. She said Heath, who was father to a four-month-old baby, was fully focused on the welfare of the infant.

"Him say him a done play because a just $2,000 him have leave and him want it to buy feeding for him baby. He was a jovial person and he was a person that anybody could take him up and send him go do things."