Men killed in St. Catherine North operations were 'on police radar'

By Lorraine Witter    

 

The St. Catherine North Police say three men fatally shot during joint police-military operations in the division on Friday morning were on the police's radar.

 

The men were killed and two illegal guns seized during separate operations in Ewarton and Linstead.

 

Police have declined to release the names of the deceased at this time.

 

Superintendent Hopton Nicholson, Commanding Officer for St. Catherine North, says the operations were conducted across Zone 2, which comprises Linstead, Ewarton and Bog Walk. 

 

"So far we have detained over 15 persons. One person is a major person of interest; that person has since been transported to the police station. The other persons are being processed at the Linstead Police Station by the intelligence and as well as persons from the Criminal Investigative Branch," he disclosed.  

 

Superintendent Nicholson said the security forces are also conducting public order operations in major towns, including Linstead. 

 

"That includes public safety, traffic enforcement. We are also looking at anti-vending and other aspects. We want to ensure that the persons are safe. A lot of vendors are here, a lot of business persons are here. So far I think they welcome our increased presence and we are hoping that we will keep the criminals at bay, so that law-abiding citizens can go about their business."  

 

In the meantime, the superintendent said two men fatally shot by police in separate incidents in Spanish Town on Thursday were suspects in a recent murder at a gas station in the town.

 

Ricardo Fisher, 23, was fatally shot during a police operation in Dallas Lane, March Pen. Police say a Beretta pistol was recovered from the scene. The second man, 24-year-old Kemar Smith, was killed during a police operation in New Nursery. A firearm was also recovered in this incident.

 

According to Superintendent Nicholson, both Smith and Fisher were also persons of interest in other shooting incidents in the division.