22 detained following protests in Spanish Town

Head of the St Catherine North Police Division, Superintendent Hopeton Nicholson, says 22 people were taken into custody during operations in Spanish Town, St Catherine, following protests by residents who blocked several roadways.

Chaos reigned in sections of Spanish Town on Saturday morning as sympathisers of reputed Clansman gang enforcer, Sheldon Walters, otherwise known as Termite, reacted to news of his death.

He was killed during an alleged shootout with police on Friday night.

Nicholson says two of the 22 people taken into custody are persons of interest in a murder and shooting. The others were arrested as a part of the police's public order drive.

"We will be continuing the enforcement throughout the division to bring a state of peace to those persons who are desirous of going about their lawful businesses," Nicholson said.

Relatives of some of those detained gathered at the Spanish Town Police Station proclaiming their innocence.

"After the man dem come wake dem and asked that they block the road, di police come lock dem up. But they were forced to do it," one woman said.

Nicholson said all the roadblocks in Spanish Town have now been cleared.

- Rasbert Turner

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