A bizarre turn of events led to a Television Jamaica (TVJ) employee being shot multiple times on Tuesday in Harbour View, St Andrew. The incident, which occurred around 9:30 am, involved a man said to be mentally ill.
As per reports, the male employee was disarmed and shot with his own licensed firearm after he tried to apprehend the suspect, who had reportedly experienced a seizure and left his home. While attempting to restrain him, the suspect allegedly disarmed the TVJ worker and fired multiple shots, one of which hit the TVJ worker in the neck.
News of the attack quickly spread among TVJ staff, leaving them concerned, a male co-worker told the Jamaica Observer, “We were shocked to hear the news that our colleague was shot. The exact circumstances remain unclear; however, we are happy to learn that he is not dead and is recovering. Our prayers are with him. Our colleague is a very hard worker who is very committed to his duties. We pray for a speedy recovery.”
A female colleague also detailed her distress, “I see him on the TVJ compound from time to time and he is always jovial. He works in a different department from me, but I felt ‘a way’ when I heard the news. When I found out the identity of the person, I said to myself that he isn’t usually in any conflict with anyone that I know of.”
The TVJ employee who is said to be an engineer was taken to the hospital by police following the shooting.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Michael Phipps confirmed that the suspect was captured and the weapon was seized. The suspect will undergo treatment at Bellevue Hospital as investigations continue.
