Kingston Man Sentenced to Over 50 Years for Shooting at Police Officers

Kingston, Jamaica — Fitzroy Douglas, a 49-year-old resident of Christopher Road in Kingston 14, was sentenced to over 50 years in prison after being found guilty of shooting at three police officers. The sentence was handed down in the Gun Court division of the Home Circuit Court on Friday, following a trial before High Court Judge Justice Carolyn Tai Powell.

Douglas faced charges including three counts of shooting with intent, possession of a prohibited weapon, and unauthorized possession of ammunition. He was sentenced to 15 years for each count of shooting with intent, six years and six months for possession of the firearm, and an additional two years and six months for unauthorized possession of ammunition. The sentences for the shooting charges will run concurrently.

The incident occurred around 9:45 pm on January 12, 2021, when police officers on mobile patrol in the Kingston Western division encountered Douglas near a party on Little King Street. Dressed in blue jeans and a multi-colored shirt, Douglas was seen walking away from the crowd and was subsequently pursued by the officers after they identified themselves and instructed him to stop.

Douglas fled onto Spanish Town Road and attempted to scale a wall. In an attempt to evade capture, he allegedly drew a firearm from his waistband and fired at the approaching officers. The officers returned fire, hitting Douglas, who then fled towards Collie Smith Drive, eluding the police.

A search of the area revealed a black Gen4 Glock pistol with a magazine containing two 9mm rounds at the location where Douglas fell. A trail of blood led officers to a premises where Douglas was found with a gunshot wound to his right forearm. He was subsequently treated at the Kingston Public Hospital.

No police officers were injured during the confrontation, although the police service vehicle and another vehicle were damaged by gunfire. The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) and police personnel processed the crime scene.

The investigation, led by Detective Constable Morvin Ellis from the Denham Town Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), resulted in Douglas being charged and subsequently convicted.