Jamaica Police-Military Raid Kills Man Known as ‘Pepper’ in Westmoreland
Key Facts
Killings by Jamaica’s police and soldiers are a long-running human rights concern. A pre-dawn operation in the western parish of Westmoreland has added another contested case.
A man known by the aliases ‘Pepper’ and ‘Jordan’ was shot dead in a joint police-military operation in Seaford Town. The Gleaner reported that the shooting happened shortly after 3 a.m. on Friday, 18 September 2026.
Why This Matters
As of 16 September, security forces had killed 217 people this year, including 19 this month, The Gleaner reported. A later Gleaner report put the toll of alleged confrontations with the security forces at 219 by the same date.
Such cases are investigated by INDECOM, the Independent Commission of Investigations, a civilian body created by law in 2010. It examines actions by police, soldiers and prison officers that cause death or injury, and can recommend charges.
What Was Reported
The Gleaner said the police recovered a firearm after the shooting and that INDECOM investigators went to the scene. Official details of the operation, including its size and purpose, have not been released.
A police source told The Gleaner on condition of anonymity that a targeted operation was carried out at the man’s home. According to that source, the security forces came under fire as they approached and returned fire.
The source said the man was found inside the house with gunshot wounds and later pronounced dead at hospital. The Gleaner later identified him as Jordon Perry Smith, 35, whom it described as a businessman.
Residents Dispute the Police Account
Residents told The Gleaner the man was killed in his home in the presence of his children. Residents said he ran a water truck and farmed, and a cousin said he had never been in trouble.
His father said officers began shooting once they opened the yard gate, and denied any shots came from inside. Residents also criticised INDECOM, saying live rounds and spent shells remained after its investigators left.
They added that he had a good relationship with the police at the nearby Spring Mount Police Station. “He was not a gunman, so I know that there was no shootout,” a cousin told The Gleaner.
What Is Not Yet Known
The Gleaner said its efforts to obtain an official police account were unsuccessful. INDECOM had not commented on the case when The Gleaner published its report.
It is not known whether the recovered firearm has been linked to any crime. Neither account has been tested by an investigation or a court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is INDECOM?
The Independent Commission of Investigations is a civilian body set up by Jamaica’s parliament in 2010. It investigates deaths and injuries caused by the security forces.
How many people have Jamaica’s security forces killed in 2026?
The Gleaner reported 217 killings by the security forces as of 16 September. Another Gleaner report put the figure at 219.
Sources: Jamaica Star, ‘Pepper’ killed in early-morning police-military operation, The Gleaner, man shot dead during police-military operation in Westmoreland, The Gleaner, residents dispute police’s shootout claim, INDECOM, why the commission was established
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