Jonique Gaynor, Staff Reporter

A bike is blocked by obstacles that were placed in the road by Johns Lane residents, who protested yesterday's killing of Sheldon Williams by the police. - Ian Allen

Residents of Johns Lane, Central Kingston, hit the streets bearing placards yesterday morning, protesting the shooting of 23-year-old Sheldon 'Gritty' Williams.

According to official police reports, about 2 a.m., a police party was patrolling the area when they came upon a group of men. It is alleged that the men opened fire at the lawmen who responded in like fashion. It was later discovered that Williams had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the Kingston Public Hospital.

The residents, however, told a tale which challenged every aspect of the police account. They say Williams was killed in cold blood and argued that even though he may have been involved in 'hustling' drugs, he was not a killer. They claim he was sitting on a table near his home when the police jeep approached. One resident explained, "Di jeep drive up an di police seh to di yute, don't swallow it and dem jus shot im and carry im whe."

The residents also accused the officers of returning to the scene and attempting to plant extra spent shells. They said there was no shoot-out and that only one shot was fired. They argued that when he was taken from the scene, he only had one gunshot wound and said that if anymore was found it was inflicted elsewhere.