Sickly man killed in alleged confrontation with cops

For several months, residents of Karl Samuda Avenue along Red Hills Road in St Andrew said that their neighbour, Sheldon ‘Mad Dawg’ Cassaonor, could barely move independently and relied heavily on their support.

But yesterday, Cassaonor, who residents say was battling a serious illness, was shot dead by police in an alleged confrontation with lawmen. In response, residents mounted a fiery protest along sections of Red Hills Road yesterday.

“Is yesterday (Tuesday) him go clinic and him come back with a bag a medication and him was supposed to go back today (Wednesday) and dem kill him and throw him inna van back like animal. Mad Dawg was no badman and mi nah go act like we didn’t have any in our community but he wasn’t one of them,” a protester told THE STAR.

Another resident said that Cassaonor was ill to the point where he was unable to feed himself.

“The bwoy was sick and nuff time a we crush up pumpkin and dem tings deh a feed him. We don’t know what was wrong with him. Him could barely talk or walk straight. He was very, very sick to the point where him couldn’t lift up him hand. He was weak and mawga out, so how him could lift hand point gun?” she asked.

The circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting have not yet been ascertained. The Independent Commission of Investigations is probing the incident.

Another woman said that over time, Cassaonor, before he fell ill was embraced and loved by the community, and became like family.

“He was like a handy bwoy in the area. Everybody take him up and send him out. Dat sound like a bad man to yuh? Him live here over 10 years and we don’t know any [of his] family. We just know say we use to send him out and take care of him. Oh God man, him never deserve it,” she wailed. Others speculated that his death may have been a case of mistaken identity.

A number of persons were observed washing their faces with milk and water after being pepper-sprayed by members of the security forces.

“Dem nuh have no respect because dem pepper-spray we because we a talk fi we rights. Dem kill the innocent bwoy and we talk and now all a we a burn and we have to be bathing with milk now. But dem nah go silence we,” a woman said as she poured bottles of water on her arms.

Member of Parliament for the St Andrew North Central constituency Delano Seiveright called for a speedy and clear investigation.

“The reports that I am receiving from the residents are very disturbing. The residents, in an explosion of anger, blocked the roads but we have managed to speak to them and calm them down,” he said.

He confirmed that some persons were pepper-sprayed by the police which resulted in multiple scufffles.

“I am urging the residents to stay calm and I understand the anger and the need to vent. But at the same time, we have to stay in line with the laws of the country,” he said.