Police Investigating Cotton Tree Shooting After Man Allegedly Shot During Operation

Police are investigating an incident in Cotton Tree Village, Cayo District, in which a man was allegedly shot by police during an operation earlier this week.  The injured man has been identified as Akeem Jones. According to his family, Jones is not known to police, and they believe officers may have been targeting his brother.  Speaking to the media, Jones’ sister said that her brother may have been mistakenly caught up in the situation, explaining that another sibling is the one who has previously had issues with the police.  She also told reporters that the incident reportedly unfolded at a bar in Cotton Tree Village, where Akeem was socializing at the time police arrived.

Sister: “We have a brother that is known to police but I mean those two brothers are two different people. You can’t mix Akeem Jones and the next one. It looks like the next one got into some kind of problem at a bar and he ran towards the field where my brother lives so the police truck started chasing after him and when the police started set chase after him my brother and our youngest brother who is a little minor were chilling because they live right close to the football field. Now police reached and asked for our brother that just ran and he told them that he is not his guardian. Now it looks like they reached aggressive and they slapped my little brother, the little one that sit he minor and my older brother told them that he is a minor and they don’t have right to put hands on a minor.”

Reporter: Akeem said that ? 

Sister: “Yes Akeem said that. Then Akeem said how the police officer Chavez turned and told him “I will shoot one of your brothers.” And he said that he told him “Why will you shoot us for if we’re not doing anything, we’re not the problem. What my brother did is his thing you can’t mix us up.” And my little brother said he made to turn to go home and they shot him behind his hand. And if you look at his hand the bullet entered at the back and it exited through the other side.”

The sister further alleged that after the shooting, the officer who reportedly discharged the firearm pleaded with Jones not to press charges over the incident.  She added that Jones was hospitalized following the shooting and was released from the hospital yesterday.  When he was released, things got a bit twisted as shortly after, Akeem was charged by police for assaulting an officer.

Sister: “Gone drop him. The officer that shot him just went to drop him and my little brother said all on the road he was telling him “sorry” and “please don’t press charges, please don’t go report and I will make your other brother walk free.” I mean you are trying to talk out my little brother after something you already did. Then my little brother said he told him “Big man I didn’t do you anything and you shot me.” Then my little brother said he told him “Bwai I’m sorry about that just please don’t go dying on me.” Anyway he said they reached the hospital and when they reached the hospital now no police was there they just left him and this morning I told him I was going to bring him for dressing but good thing one of my friends on Facebook that I know is a police he will help me with my little brother so I said okay fine I mean if someone can help us and he gave me a number and then he called me in the morning and told me to take my brother to PCB. After five minutes and I was like what happened he said “Girl, Chavez just picked up Felipe again.” And I was like why but he said he didn’t know but it was like forcing him to get in the car although my little brother told them you know what they already suspect me I can find my way. The same officer that shot him is the one that picked him up forcingly and put him in the police truck. So right now my brother is detained for what ? Something he didn’t do and deep down to his heart my little brother didn’t assault him because my little brother is not those kinds of guys. You will not see any report of my little brother trying to take a police’s gun or gun man and that kind of thing.”

Reporter: So just if I understand the story correctly. Your brother was shot by police, he went to try to make the report today, and instead they ended up charging him. 

Sister: “They ended up charging him. That is something that is not justifiable. We will press charges. We will not leave this like that because if my brother was in the wrong it’s fine, do your job.”

Family members say they are now seeking answers about the circumstances that led to the shooting and the charges that were subsequently brought against Jones.  When the media contacted the Police Public Relations Office for comment, the response was brief. Authorities indicated that a report has been made and the matter is currently under investigation.