WESTERN BUREAU:
A Westmoreland-based policeman narrowly missed death on Saturday morning in the blazing gun battle in which accused multiple murderer, 26-year-old Sadan 'Sadam' Mullings was killed. The shootout started in Savanna-la-Mar and ended in Whitehouse, Westmoreland.
According to Senior Super-intendent of Police Egbert Parkins, the commanding officer for the Westmoreland Police Division, Mullings - who was wanted for several murders in Hanover and Westmoreland and an incident in St Ann, in which he allegedly threw a hand grenade at the police - shot a policeman in his chest, but the lawman was wearing a protective vest.
"In pursuit of this criminal, contact was made about 4:20 a.m. on Saturday in the parish," said Parkins. "In a bid to escape, he opened fire at the police, which damaged a service unit and almost took the life of the police officer, who was driving the motor vehicle. If it wasn't for the ballistic vest, the Jamaica Constabulary Force would be mourning the death of the hard-working officer."
In giving details of the gunfight, which lasted for more than 30 minutes, Parkins said Mullings, along with another crony, was seen riding a motorcycle. An attempt to detain him led to the shootout.
After the initial engagement, other units were called in and Mullings was pursued into the Whitehouse area. He was cornered on a fishing beach, where another gun battle, which lasted for over 30 minutes, ensued. When the dust settled, Mullings was dead. His crony, who was injured, later died at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital.
"This was no easy criminal," said Parkins, who heaped praises on the lawmen who pursued Mullings, who was armed with an Uzi submachine gun and a Glock pistol.
"I want to use this opportunity to congratulate our brave men and women, who, despite the criminal's firepower, continued to pursue him."
Following the shooting, the firearms, along with 112 9mm rounds, were seized at the scene.
... Westmoreland wanted men listed
Senior Superintendent of Police Egbert Parkins, the commanding officer for the Westmoreland Police Division, announced the names of several wanted men, who the police believe are primarily responsible for the 77 murders, 87 shootings, 25 rapes, eight aggravated assaults, 41 robberies, 26 break-ins and three cases of larceny committed in the parish since the start of the year.
They are Dushane Allen, otherwise called Niger, of Greenwich District in Bethel Town, who is wanted for two counts of murder; Glenroy 'Eye' Roach, of Negril and Tank Hill, who is wanted for quadruple murder; Burton 'Bap' Shearer, of Church Lincoln District, in Grange Hill, who is wanted for murder; Obrian 'Joe Grind' Ellis, of Savanna-la-Mar, wanted for a murder in Farm Pen community; and Kemroy 'Max' Clarke of Haddo, who is also is wanted for murder.