One year before death on the pier, Hartin had gun accident
Jasmine Hartin
Back in May when she was arrested, Jasmine Hartin, the thirty-two year old Canadian woman facing a manslaughter by negligence charge in the death of police Superintendent Henry Jemmott, told police Jemmott had been teaching her to use a gun. But last week, videos surfaced of her expertly using a shotgun to hit watermelons. Now, a witness has come forward to say that he was there when Hartin accidentally discharged a firearm, a full year before Jemmott’s death. That incident, as News Five’s Paul Lopez found out during an interview today in San Pedro, took place during the COVID lockdown at Grand Colony in May of 2020.
Paul Lopez
“Mr. Thompson, If you would, give us the details of what you witnessed on that day, during the Covid-19 lockdown, involving Ms. Hartin and a weapon?”
Ray Thompson, Maintenance Worker, Grand Colony
“We had an ex-security guard, he is no longer here, he is just temporary. He was a licensed security guard. He was cleaning his firearm, and I don’t know from where exactly Ms. Hartin came, the boss lady. And she just asked if she could clean her weapon also. And she went back, got her weapon, came to the unit and they both started cleaning their weapons. At this time, I was over at the long bench lying down, almost dozing off. Because, like I said, I do not have a gun, I am not experienced with guns, so I just kept my corner. So, I guess they were just cleaning. All of a sudden, I heard a bang. When I heard that bang, I just lift up my head. The boss man reached out quick. When I looked over, I just saw them standing there in shock, both of them, and like I say I left after that. I had no words with no one about anything, and that was about it.”
Paul Lopez
“According to Thompson, before leaving the scene he heard Hartin apologize.”
Ray Thompson
Ray Thompson
“Yeah, she said, “I am sorry, it was an accident”. That is all I heard.”
Paul Lopez
“You heard her say…”
Ray Thompson
“I am sorry, it was an accident”
Paul Lopez
“Tell me, why now? Why come out with this information at this time? We have seen the Hartin case blow up on social media, blow up on international news, why come out with this information now?”
Ray Thompson
“Because like I said, it is not something I am fabricating, it is not a lie. Sadly, it was something that happened while I was around.”
Jasmine Hartin reportedly told police following the death of Superintendent Jemmott in May 2021, that Jemmott had been teaching her to use the gun following an incident at a party in Belmopan. But according to Thompson Jasmine was cleaning a firearm a year earlier in May of 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdown. I asked what went through his mind after he heard about Jemmott’s fatal shooting.
Paul Lopez
“Tell me perhaps, your initial reaction to hearing the story of Ms Hartin and the weapon, and the incident involving the police officer, Mr Jemmott.”
Ray Thompson
“Well, to be honest, I do not know what to say really about that. Because, concerning that, I do not try to get into that. I am just a simple employee. I just come to do my work, and that is about it.”
No one was hurt during this incident on the Grand Colony compound. And, while that accidental discharge was kept under wraps until today, what happened on the pier that fateful May morning would change the trajectory of the lives of all involved.
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
