Two men who reportedly barricaded themselves inside a house with other occupants and engaged members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in a gun battle in Sligoville, St Catherine, on Friday morning have been killed.
The deadly confrontation, which unfolded during an early morning police operation, claimed the life of one police officer and left several other members of the security forces injured. A 10-year-old girl was also wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
The deceased officer has been identified as Corporal Trevoy Shaw, who was attached to the JCF’s Special Operations unit.
Reports indicate that the injured child is the daughter of one of the two deceased men. The girl is said to be in serious but stable condition as she receives medical attention.
Another police officer, who sustained gunshot wounds to the head during the confrontation, is undergoing surgery. Several other members of the police team also sustained injuries, although further details regarding their conditions have not been disclosed.
According to preliminary reports, the incident began at approximately 5:15 a.m. when members of the JCF’s Special Operations unit conducted an operation in the Five Miles area of Sligoville in search of wanted men.
During the operation, the officers were reportedly clearing a building on a premises when they came under heavy gunfire from the two men, who had barricaded themselves inside a house where other occupants were present.
The exchange quickly escalated into a deadly confrontation, leaving Corporal Shaw dead and several others injured before the two men were killed.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the events that led to the child and the other officers being injured, remain unclear.
A strong police presence remains in the area as investigators continue their probe into the deadly incident. Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.