

Ribbiz Ultra Lounge worker Jermaine Richards was brutally shot to death by an off-duty policeman from the Denham Town division.
Our Today understands that police watchdog, the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), is looking into the incident where an off-duty policeman is reported to have gunned down Richards in the early hours of Thursday morning (January 23) in the car park.
Ribbiz Ulta Lounge is managed by renowned nightclub boss Brian ‘Ribbie’ Chung and is located in a plaza centre on 79 Ardenne Road in St Andrew.
Why was Richards, 40, a father of three who by all accounts was a decent man and a good worker murdered in cold blood?
What transpired here?
Richards’ sister took to social media and gave an account of events as she understood it. According to her, an altercation took place in the kitchen where the boss and one of his associates claimed alcohol was missing. Jermaine Richards was asked to leave the kitchen and accompany a policeman who said he was ‘walking too slow’. The policeman then pistol-whipped Jermaine Richards who was unarmed. Richards then said something to the off-duty cop who in turn kicked him down to the ground before unloading his firearm into the body of Richards, instantly killing him.
The sister is calling upon Prime Minister Andrew Holness and ace criminal attorney Peter Champaigne to help and bring her brother’s killer and accomplices to justice.
She mentions that one of Ribbiz’s directors, former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor Don Creary was present.
There is no evidence that Don Creary or Brian Chung had anything to do with Richards’ slaying though questions are being asked as to how the shooting was allowed to happen.
Was this a case of heavy-handedness and overzealousness leading to the unnecessary death of a worker?
Where is the videotape from both inside Ribbiz and the parking lot? That would help in uncovering exactly what took place here and end speculation.
The sister then goes on to claim that none of Ribbiz’s management team reached out to the family to offer sympathy, help or for that matter their understanding of what transpired.
She goes on to say her brother’s dead body was taken from the parking lot to the hospital and tagged “unknown male”.
The young lady believes a cover-up took place and wants to get to the bottom of her brother’s death.
She was very distraught in the TikTok video and will need conclusive information as to what led to her brother’s demise.
Our Today has been informed that at the time of Jermaine Richards’ death, none of the directors of Ribbiz were at the premises.

Ribbiz did put out a statement which read: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the shooting of team member Jermaine Richards.
“Despite what is being said he was never accused of theft and has never been involved in any dispute with any director, manager or co-worker on that night or any other time. INDECOM is doing a thorough investigation as they always do… May his soul rest in peace.
“We wish to convey our deepest sympathy to his family at this tumultuous time. We have already had dialogue with the councillor for the Rae Town Division, Rosalee Hamilton, to offer the strongest support to his family.”
It is important that staff get treated with respect and that matters do not escalate into assault on working premises. There should be a set procedure for conflict resolution.
INDECOM is now asking for those with video footage and those who witnessed the incident to come forward to firm up the investigation.
“Right here you see the importance of TiKTok and social media. It gives a voice to those who didn’t have any. This would have been swept under the rug or traditional media muzzled if Jermaine’s sister did not take to TikTok bringing this heinous crime to light. This was a rogue cop gone mad dog and people involved in Jermaine’s death have to go to jail because there was no reason to take his life,” said a former Ribbiz worker.
A thorough investigation will now have to take place with evidence presented not hearsay or unsubstantiated claims.
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