Old Harbour man dies in hospital after police confrontation

Demar Lee, otherwise called ‘Not Nice’, died several hours later in the afternoon while receiving treatment. 

According to a police report, officers were conducting a targeted operation at a premises when Lee allegedly brandished a firearm. A confrontation ensued, resulting in Lee being shot by the police. He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead several hours later. Doctors on staff, it is understood, tried desperately to save his life, but to no avail.

The death of Lee, a native of the neighbouring Burke Road community, brought to a close a life with a checkered past and a tough upbringing. 

Sources, speaking to Old Harbour News,  indicate that Lee encounters with the law began in his juvenile years and continued into adulthood, with convictions for break-ins and other offences. After a period of living overseas, Lee returned to Jamaica and attempted to establish a legitimate life, opening a small shop in the Burke Road community.

However, his business fell victim to extortion and was later destroyed by arson following an attack in which he was shot but survived.

A police source, commenting on Lee's recent activities, stated that while the now deceased had managed to stay under the radar, intelligence suggested he had remained active in criminal circles.

An illegal .38 revolver with three live rounds was recovered after the confrontation with Lee, the police report stated. 

Officers who were involved in the shooting, have had their weapons seized for ballistic analysis while the Independent Commission (INDECOM) of Investigation has commenced its own probe.