Fabian Ledgister, Staff Reporter

Yvonne Robertson (centre) sits on a drum and beats a bath pan as she protests with children on Red Hills Road in St. Andrew yesterday. Miss Robertson was protesting the killing of her son Derrick Watson by the police. - norman grindley

Classes at the Dunrobin Primary School, St. Andrew, ended early yesterday after a nearby shoot-out between cops and criminals left one gunman dead.

Dead is 29-year-old Derrick Watson, otherwise known as Bigga, of a Red Hills road address.

When contacted, a representative from the school told THE STAR that shots were being fired "near the gully", which runs through the school compound. He added that they were concerned about it, because the shots were loud, but admitted that no one on the school grounds had been physically affected.

Contradictory statement

But information from the police contradicted that of the school representative, as one of the gunmen was actually killed on the school's compound by a passing police patrol.

"The men were near the gully, showing guns to other men when they were spotted ... we jus spin roun' an check dem out," said one of the officers.

Reports are that at about 10:00 a.m., a passing patrol spotted the men but when they were approached, they opened fire on the lawmen. The cops returned the fire and after an exchange of shots, the alleged gunmen men ran in different directions.

During a search of the compound Watson is said to have been found suffering from gunshot wounds, and clutching on to a GP 100 Ruger .357 revolver (serial number 17195895), containing four live .38 rounds.

The police also say that a further search of his person also recovered six .357 rounds, and eleven .38 rounds in his right front pants pocket.

Residents, however, are giving a different account of the incident. They say that the police came and shot the man in cold blood, then planted the gun on him.

"...A fi dem style dat, shoot first, ask question later, but is a innocent man dem kill, suh we want some justice fi di man," said a protesting resident.

Sections of Red Hills Road were reportedly blocked for a few minutes, but were soon cleared by the cops.

In the meantime, police are of the view that the weapon recovered may have been stolen from a licensed firearm owner, and are asking anyone who lost a firearm with the mentioned serial number, to contact investigating officer, Det. Corporal R. Davidson, at the Half-Way Tree CIB (926-2551).