Two killed in alleged shootout with security forces in St James
ST JAMES, Jamaica – Two men are dead and a manhunt has been launched for others following an alleged shootout with police forces in Rose Heights, St James on Thursday night.
According to Deputy Superintendent Linroy Edwards, Operations Officer in St James, armed men engaged the police in a gun battle during a joint police/military operation in the Sean Crescent community of the parish at about 9:40 pm.
Police say a group of men, who had converged at a section of the community, opened gunfire at law enforcers. The fire was returned and when the shooting subsided, two of the men were found suffering from gunshot wounds. They were taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where they were pronounced dead upon arrival. Two firearms were recovered at the scene.
Edwards said the gunmen fired at the police from rooftops, trees and neighbouring premises in an intense battle that lasted between 45 minutes to an hour.
No member of the security team was injured during the gun battle. It is reported that lawmen were still on site at daybreak as they continued their search for other suspects involved in the incident.
Edwards also reported that earlier that day in another joint police/military operation, two women were arrested on reasonable suspicion of being in possession of a prohibited weapon.
Reports indicate that at about 5:00 pm lawmen searched a particular premises where they recovered one Taurus 9 mm pistol along with five rounds.
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.