In a dramatic gunfight in Negril, Westmoreland, four men were killed and six firearms seized by the police. The clash occurred during an operation aimed at dismantling a criminal network. Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake and Deputy Commissioner Fitz Bailey emphasised the dangers in confronting the police, urging criminals to surrender peacefully. The incident, part of an ongoing investigation, followed a foiled robbery attempt.

Four alleged gangsters killed in shootout with police in Negril

Jamaica Gleaner/27 Jul 2024/Adrian Frater/Gleaner Writer 

FOUR MEN who reportedly engaged members of the security forces in a blazing gunfight in the resort town of Negril, Westmoreland, early yesterday morning, were shot and killed and six firearms, including three rifles, seized.

While the top leadership of the Area One police rushed to Negril in the aftermath of the shooting, the official details of the incident were released via a joint video statement from Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake and Deputy Commissioner Fitz Bailey, who heads the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) crime portfolio.

According to the commissioner, the operation, which led to the killing of the four men and serious injuries to another man, was the result of a deliberate and well-coordinated effort aimed at disrupting the activity of a criminal network.

“During the operation, our officers intercepted multiple vehicles associated with the criminal network. Unfortunately, the suspects chose to engage the police, resulting in a gunfight,” Blake said.

“As a result, five gunmen were shot. Four died and one is currently being treated after being rushed to the hospital by the police.”

In urging criminals not to confront the police but to peacefully surrender, the commissioner said that “confronting highly trained police officers pose a significant risk and can lead to lethal consequences”.

DCP Bailey said yesterday’s incident was the result of an ongoing investigation, which started as far back as February 2023, which has resulted in the arrest of several persons who were complicit in serious criminal activities involving the use of highpowered guns.

“The weapons seized included two M16 rifles, one AK47, one Glock, a 9mm pistol, and a .38 pistol,” said Bailey, who intimated that yesterday ’s shootout stemmed from a foiled robbery that had targeted a Beryllium cashin-transit courier vehicle.

“We are continuing our investigations as we intend to dismantle this criminal network that is operating right across Jamaica. We know who they are, and we will not stop until everyone of them is brought to justice,” he added.

CORNERED IN THE SEA

According to an eyewitness, the shootout, which lasted for over 25 minutes, started about 8:00 a.m. when police officers assigned to JCF’s Counter Tourism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (CTOC) tried to pull over a black Voxy motor vehicle, which was pulling into the Burger King car park in Negril behind a white car.

“De man dem inna de Voxy come out firing nuff shots and police dem retaliate,” the eyewitness told The Gleaner.

“De driver of the white car try fe go round de car but it run off inna de sea…so dem come inna de water and start fire shot tuh, but di police dem pin dem down inna de water so dem couldn’t get weh.”

While the police did not reveal the identity of the deceased men, based on items found on two of them, it appeared that they were residents of Westmoreland. The driver’s licence found on one of the men identified him as a resident of Cave district, while another driver’s licence identified the holder as a resident of Geneva district.

In a statement released in the aftermath of the incident, the I ndependent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) said a team of their crime scene examiners processed the scene, which included two vehicles.

“Evidential material recovered will also be packaged. The hands of the deceased men will be swabbed for DNA testing and their bodies will be photographed and sealed, pending post mortem examinations,” INDECOM said.

“While witness canvassing is being conducted, INDECOM is appealing to any person who witnessed the fatal shooting incident to contact the office of the commission at 876-968-1932.”

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