Former police corporal granted $1 million bail in 2022 Gregory Park fatal shooting

A former police corporal who was arrested in September upon returning to Jamaica in connection with a fatal shooting in Gregory Park, St Catherine four years ago was today granted $1 million bail.

Charles Williams, 54, was granted bail in relation to the alleged murder of 18-year-old Tyrone McDonald, otherwise known as ‘Gulf’, who was fatally shot in Gregory Park, Portmore, St Catherine, on September 18, 2022.

He was offered bail by Justice Yvonne Brown in the St Catherine Circuit Court.

Among the conditions of his bail, Williams was ordered to surrender his travel documents.

He was also warned to stay away from the Gulf community and refrain from interfering with prosecution witnesses.

McDonald was reportedly shot during a police operation in the community at approximately 7:50 a.m.

According to the police, the team came under gunfire from two men, prompting the officers to return fire.

McDonald was reportedly shot and injured during the exchange.

He was taken to the Spanish Town Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on October 5, 2022.

During the bail hearing, Williams' attorney, D'ondre Buchanan, argued that his client was not a flight risk, noting that he had voluntarily returned to Jamaica after learning that a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

Buchanan further submitted that Williams was acting in defence of himself and his colleagues at the time of the incident and was eager to have his day in court.

Attorney Orville Morgan is also representing the defendant.

Williams reportedly resigned from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) before migrating to the United States with his family.

He returned to Jamaica on Wednesday and was subsequently apprehended by members of the Inspectorate of Professional Standards Oversight Bureau, who executed a warrant for his arrest on the murder charge.

He is to return to court on January 17 next year.

- Tanesha Mundle

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.