MAN EARLIER HAD A ROW WITH NEIGHBOURS, POLICE SAY HE HAD A MACHETE AND REFUSED ORDERS TO DROP IT
BOSCOBEL, St Mary; Jan 21, 2026
A 62-year-old man was shot and killed during an alleged confrontation with the police in Boscobel, St Mary, on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Dead is Ernel Henclehood, labourer and handyman of Boscobel View, St. Mary.
Area residents tell the North Coast Times that Henclehood, also called Tony, was a peaceful man who cut people’s yards and did household chores for them. They say that at times he appeared mentally unstable.
Reports are that earlier that morning, about 9:00 a.m., the police responded to reports of an assault causing bodily harm, malicious destruction of property, and a dispute in the Boscobel area.
(House of Ernel ‘Tony’ Henclehood)
The Times was told that Mr Henclehood had for some time been embroiled in a dispute with a neighbour. On Monday, he threw objects and excrement at the neighbour and was behaving boisterously. The matter was reported to the police.
Acting on the report, a police team proceeded to the location.
Police said they went to a two-bedroom board structure where the suspect was believed to be. The house was surrounded, and the suspect was called out; however, there was no response. “During attempts to make contact, the police were pelted with objects from inside the house,” police reported.
(Another view of the house)
According to the police, the suspect later exited the house armed with a machete and advanced “in a threatening manner” towards one of the police personnel. Verbal commands were issued for the suspect to drop the weapon, but these were ignored, and the suspect continued to advance.
One of the police officers discharged his service firearm. The suspect was subsequently subdued and transported to the Port Maria Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) told North Coast Times it was informed but had not issued a release on the incident. Its officers are investigating.
