JCF: Death of 4-y-o in St James being treated as homicide probe, not police shooting

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says it is inaccurate to suggest that the four-year-old boy who died after being shot during an alleged shoot-out with gunmen in Granville, St James, on New Year’s Day was killed by police.

At this time, the death of Romaine Bowman is not being treated as a police fatal shooting, the JCF said in a statement today.

The constabulary stated that the matter is the subject of a homicide investigation aimed at conclusively determining the source of the fatal injury and the weapon involved.

“The JCF wishes to place on record, clearly and unequivocally, that the inclusion of four-year-old Romaine Bowman as a victim of a police shooting is inaccurate and unsupported by the facts presently before investigators,” the statement said.

“No determination has been made that the child was killed by a police officer’s weapon, and no such conclusion has been advanced by the police, residents of the community, or any other credible source,” it added.

Full Statement

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has taken note of a headline and accompanying report published by The Gleaner on January 07, which states, “UPDATED: 4-y-o among 14 killed in police shooting incidents in first days of 2026.” The JCF wishes to place on record, clearly and unequivocally, that the inclusion of four-year-old Romaine Bowman as a victim of a police shooting is inaccurate and unsupported by the facts presently before investigators.

At this time, the death of the child in Granville, St James, is not being treated as a police fatal shooting. The matter is the subject of a homicide investigation, which is aimed at determining conclusively the source of the fatal injury and the weapon involved. No determination has been made that the child was killed by a police officer’s weapon, and no such conclusion has been advanced by the police, residents of the community, or any other credible source.

Importantly, in the immediate aftermath of this deeply tragic incident, the child’s mother, despite her grief, publicly commended members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force who were involved in the operation, citing their professionalism and their efforts to save her child’s life. This context was entirely absent from the report.

The JCF is therefore gravely concerned that a media house of The Gleaner’s long-standing reputation would publish, as fact, an assertion that is demonstrably unproven and contrary to the current status of the investigation. Reporting of this nature risks misleading the public, prejudicing ongoing enquiries, and unfairly attributing responsibility in circumstances where the facts have not been established. Beyond the immediate inaccuracy, there is a broader concern. False or premature attribution of responsibility to the police undermines public trust and erodes the relationships that have been carefully built between the JCF and communities across Jamaica, relationships that are central to recent gains in violence reduction and community safety. Once such narratives take hold, the reality is that many members of the public will never see a correction or retraction, even where one is warranted.The Jamaica Constabulary Force reiterates its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. Where police actions result in loss of life, those matters are rigorously investigated and subjected to the appropriate oversight mechanisms. Equally, the JCF has a duty to challenge inaccuracies that damage its integrity and, by extension, undermine the collective effort to make Jamaica a safer and more peaceful society.We therefore urge all media practitioners to exercise the highest standards of accuracy, balance, and verification, particularly in matters involving loss of life, minors, and ongoing investigations.

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