THE fatal shooting of a man by the police along John's Lane in Kingston yesterday sparked demonstrations along several streets in the country's capital by residents of surrounding communities who claimed the man was murdered.

The official police said 24-year-old Sheldon Williams, a resident of Laws Street in Kingston, was cut down when a police patrol engaged a group of gunmen in a pre-dawn gunfight.

Williams' body, the police said, was found near a foot path with gunshot wounds after his cronies fled into nearby buildings, leaving him behind shortly after 3:00 am.
Residents claimed, however, that the police's version of the story was skewed.

"A true them see him have some coke in him hand and when him see them (cops) a come him throw it in him mouth," a male resident claimed yesterday.

The man, who said he had known Williams personally, said that despite several warnings by the police to spit out the drugs, Williams refused and was shot-dead after he allegedly swallowed the contraband.

"Them youth there walk bout the place here all the while; he is no troublemaker, him don't involve in no gun thing," an elderly resident told the Observer.

Yesterday, an officer at the Kingston Central Investigative Branch denied to comment on the residents' allegations.

The demonstrations forced motorists to divert from East Queen Street, the major thoroughfare for persons travelling into Kingston from St Thomas, which was rendered impassable due to debris deposited by the protesters.
Sections of Hanover Street, East Queen Street and Gold Street were also blocked.

The roads were cleared in the afternoon by members of the security forces, who maintained a strong present in the area.