Birthday girl and friend shot dead in Kingston, Jamaica

A woman who had recently celebrated her 24th birthday was killed in Kingston Jamaica after leaving a party. Brianna Kerr, the birthday girl, was riding a motorcycle driven by Derrick Coley, 40, when it crashed along Mountain View Avenue in Kingston.

Both victims were rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital, where they were declared brought dead.

Their deaths are shrouded in mystery. Kerr was shot and killed by unknown attackers on Friday, December 3, around 10:40 p.m., according to the police's Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) in a media release.

Additionally, the report stated that residents contacted the police after hearing loud explosions. Coley was not mentioned in the initial police report. The police, however, stated in a subsequent report that they were asked by residents after the bodies of both dead were found along the roadway.

For the bereaved families, their loved ones died as a result of police misconduct. They believe that the conflicting police reports from the CCU add to the evidence that something sinister occurred during a high-speed chase from Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston by a police patrol unit.

According to Brittany Powell and Romario Smikle, the two collided with a bridge after allegedly being struck from their motorcycle by a marked police vehicle shortly after 1 a.m. Smikle, who was one of six people who left the party after the nightly curfew began at 10 p.m., recalled the moments preceding the fatal accident.

Smikle, distraught, stated that upon arriving at the crash scene, he inquired about the driver and was informed that both he and the pillion rider had sustained serious injuries.

Senior Superintendent Tomilee Chambers, the East Kingston Police Division's commanding officer, stated that she was unaware of any reports of gunshots.

[caption id="attachment_39307" align="aligncenter" width="460"] Family of the deceased.[/caption]

"That report is unknown to me. All I know is that my sergeant is conducting an investigation into a fatal accident that occurred Friday night along Mountain View Avenue, "'She stated.

Meanwhile, the deceased's family has stated that they are seeking not only answers but also want justice. Powell, Kerr's sister, said the news of her death has brought back memories of the pain she felt last year when their mother, Michelle Hewitt, died.

"She wanted to enjoy her birthday because the two of us have been going through a difficult time since our mother died last year. It's the same way I received the phone call when our mother passed away; I received a message that read, 'gwan to KPH' "'She stated.

The elder sister was able to reconcile eyewitness testimony and the police report on the incident.

"Why did they drive dem all the way from New Kingston to Mountain View? What purpose did that serve? If you're attempting to apprehend someone, there are likely numerous police officers on the road. You're not going to send another patrol or summon reinforcements? You just ride down on them and knock them off their bike as if they were nothing, like absolute trash? They were surrounded by family and friends,"'she stated.

Antoinette McGregor, Coley's wife of five years, and Violet Reid, his mother, said they have not heard from police since the incident occurred and have vowed not to rest until they obtain justice. McGregor stated that she is unsure how she will proceed in light of the fact that Coley was the breadwinner for his four children.