Alleged cop killer caught

ST CATHERINE South Police commanders have heaped praises on their Special Operations Unit and counterparts from Hanover after the capture of another accused cop-killer, who tried crossing police divisions to elude lawmen.

Tevin Passley, St Catherine South’s most-wanted since August 18, 2021 – accused of the brutal murder of Corporal Delwin Jackson and his friend, taxi-driver Kenroy Chandler who were both shot and killed in Big Lane, Central Village – was apprehended in the Lucea Market on Wednesday in a joint operation.

An operation was also conducted at Passley’s home in Logwood, Green Island, where a firearm and ammunition were seized. He is expected to be charged after questioning by investigators from the Major Investigation Task Force.

A high-ranking officer from the St Catherine South divisional headquarters in Portmore said the diligence of the division’s Special Operations Unit had also led to the discovery of Damion Hamilton in Cooreville Gardens, St Andrew, in August 2021, after he had shot and killed two policemen in Horizon Park, Spanish Town, earlier that morning, an operation resulting in his death when he engaged the police in a shootout for the second time.

Inspector Leon Clunis, who led the Horizon Park operation and was among four officers shot by Hamilton, a deportee and former United States Marine, died weeks later in hospital from his injuries.

Passley and two other men, who have since been held by the St Catherine South police, are accused of the shooting deaths of Corporal Jackson and Chandler, who had accompanied the policeman to Big Lane, Central Village, to purchase a motorcar advertised on social media.

Within a year, the St Catherine South CIB charged two of the alleged participants in the murder but, Passley, said to be the alleged mastermind and triggerman, remained at large for the murders in which Corporal Jackson’s service pistol and cash to purchase the vehicle were among items stolen.

The Gleaner understands that Passley was first tracked to St Thomas where it was said he was in hiding after the double murder in Central Village, St Catherine, almost 16 months ago.

“The accused fled the Big Lane community and was tracked to St Thomas where multiple operations were conducted by the St Catherine South Special Operations Unit, working in tandem with fellow officers from that parish but to no avail, as he again fled,” the officer said.

“This time he was tracked to Lucea, Hanover, where, apparently, he was confident he would not be found. However, he was wrong and got the fright of his life when the market was stormed, leading to him being captured before he could make his escape.”

Corporal Jackson was assigned to the Glengoffe Police Station in St Catherine North. Chandler was a resident of West Prospect District, Bog Walk.