Newsmaker: Reactions amid INDECOM probe of TiKTokers’ beating at party

This week's featured development as Newsmaker of the Week just ended is the firestorm which brewed after the reported assault of TikTokers TJ and his girlfriend Moya at the birthday party for dancer Rebel in the wee hours of the morning two Saturday’s ago at Mas Camp Car Park, National Stadium in St Andrew.

The incident has sparked an investigation by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), which is probing the possible involvement of an off-duty police officer in the altercation.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has also launched an internal investigation into the matter.

The incident, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, showed several individuals, including a man identified as 'Andre', attacking and beating TikToker TJ. His girlfriend was also hit during the brawl.

'Andre' is said to be purportedly the police officer in question.

In the opening of the viral video, a male voice is heard saying, "Guh box him dung nuh".

The man known as 'Andre' then approached TJ, hitting him several times, while other men repeatedly hurled kicks at the TikToker as he was on the ground and trying to escape the blows.

It is not clear what caused the incident, although it has been suggested that TJ and music producer Romeich Major got into an argument, which resulted in expletives being exchanged between the two. Men said to be part of Major's crew then reportedly attacked TJ and his girlfriend.

Major, also a businessman, found himself at the centre of a firestorm, and faced intense backlash on social media, with many blaming him for at least one of the beatings that took place at the venue.

In response to the criticisms, Major issued a public apology to TJ and Moya on the weekend. The businessman did so on a live broadcast via his social media platforms.

"First ting, me apologise to Teejay, and then mi ah go apologise to Moya. Second, mi apologise to the TikTok people who deh deh a hold a vibes; and third, mi want to apologise to mi fiancee and mi family because what I have done, I have seen it hurt a lot of people," said Major.

He also used his address to apologise for his purported actions at the event.

Romeich Major (file photo)

"As a leader, yuh haffi be accountable for things you have done, or decisions you have made," the businessman said.

"Nothing that I did on that morning, or that night, was correct. It was really a rough night, mi nah gi no excuse, mi nah tek up fi myself at all; mi ah tek the bad vibes, the cussing, the blaming; mi tek all ah dat," said Major.

In an Instagram caption which has subsequently been deleted, Major wrote that, "There is no justification for my actions. I acted out of poor judgment, and I deeply regret the pain and damage I have caused to TJ and Moya, their loved ones, and the community at large.

"Violence or harm of any kind is never acceptable, and I am ashamed of my role in this incident.

"I apologise unreservedly. No one deserves this, and I will do everything in my power to make amends. I am committed to taking responsibility for my actions and ensuring that nothing like this ever happens again," Major stated.

Since those series of apologies, the couple - TJ and Moya - have rejected the apology from Major.

Rebel, who was celebrating her birthday, distanced herself from the incident, stating that she had no knowledge of the altercation, and condemned the violence. She demanded a public apology from Major, saying, "Mi tell Romeich (Major) seh him affi mek a public apology and that is that".

Then on Monday, a radio talk show host raised questions on whether one of the men who was seen in the video attacking TJ was, in fact, a police officer.

Later in the day, the Police High Command said it had launched a probe into the assault at the party.

But the high command said INDECOM was leading the probe relative to the assertions that a police officer was involved.

"The High Command only became aware of this incident and the reported connection to a member after it was raised publicly by a talk show host. Upon learning of the incident, the High Command immediately launched an internal investigation," said the JCF in a statement on Monday.

"However, the matter has since become the subject of an independent investigation by INDECOM, which is responsible for investigating allegations of police misconduct," the JCF added.

The high command also rejected any allegations of delays in its response to the matter, and reminded the public that it permits members to engage in private security service, commonly referred to as ‘extra work’, under strict guidelines that are outlined in the Force Orders.

"Private service arrangements must adhere to established rules regarding eligibility, prohibited activities, and operational standards.

"The policy ensures that such engagements are conducted transparently, ethically and without conflict of interest. While extra work is allowed, all officers are required to uphold the highest professional standards at all times, whether on-duty or off-duty," the JCF stated.

For its part, INDECOM stated that preliminary assessments indicated that several civilians, as well as at least one off-duty police officer, were involved in the reported assault of two persons.

The commission said it will investigate the role of the identified police officer in the altercation, while the JCF will conduct a full investigation into the involvement of civilians, with supervision and oversight by INDECOM, in accordance with section 14 of the Independent Commission of Investigations Act.

Meanwhile, several prominent personalities came to the defence of TJ and Moya.

Among them was dancehall star Spice, who, in a live broadcast on TikTok, expressed outrage over the brutal beating of Moya in particular, questioning why the men who were present at the scene failed to intervene on her behalf.

Spice expressed the belief that the bystanders' inaction suggested that they viewed the act of violence as being acceptable behaviour.

Spice (file photo)

Furthermore, she raised concerns about the seemingly strange hierarchy of authority, where a member of the constabulary appeared to have been taking orders to enforce violence.

It was not the first time that Major has faced public criticism, as Spice, fellow dancehall artiste Tifa, and retired West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle have all previously accused him of questionable conduct, which he (Major) denied.

As the investigations continues into the incident a little over a week ago, Major's apology has seemingly done little to quell the public's outrage, with many calling for greater accountability for those involved in the altercation.

However, some persons are defending Major, pointing to the many good deeds he has done in the past for vulnerable persons, and reminded that the altercation reportedly started with TJ having been disrespectful to Major.

"I’m sorry, but no apology can be accepted. This is a perfect example of what happens when money dictates everything.

"Imagine targeting people simply because you were ordered to, not because you were defending yourself. It’s disgraceful!" said a woman on Facebook in commenting on the developments.

"Sorry don't  always make things right. If you have sense you must think before you act," said another woman relative to the apology from Major.

However, a man said that, "It is very good when a person can admit to the wrong.... and be that big person to apologise; that is very good of you."

In response to Moya having been reportedly involved in the altercation, a man asked: "On a big man level, if you went into a fight and you throwing lick, you think because you are a woman you are not going to get back hit? 

"Once a person started being disrespectful among each other,... if you are not about fighting, then walk away from the situation. It's just as simple as that," the man opined.

On Instagram, a woman said the backlash that has been directed at Major was unnecessary.

"He (Major) apologised enuh, so unuh can done now. He without sin cast the first stone; his (Major's) mistake may not be yours/ours, but he apologised," she wrote.

In response, another woman said: "All who a talk 'bout sin and stone, if it was you or your family member affected, you'd be saying otherwise."

But a man contended that persons should forgive Major and move on.

"Forgive the man and move on now nuh! There is no need for the back and forth, and who did what. It done happen already, and he (Major) apologised and the matter is under investigation," he stated.