Man killed, soldier wounded during security operation in Mountain View

By Kimone Witter    

 

An unidentified man was fatally shot during a special security forces operation on Mountain View Avenue in St. Andrew on Monday morning.

 

It's reported that the man was among a group of men who engaged the security forces in a shootout between Saunders Avenue and Jarrett Lane.

 

A member of the Jamaica Defence Force was shot and is being treated.

 

According to head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Corporate Communications Unit Senior Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, sometime after 4:00 a.m., the police, acting on information, went to 72 lane in the Mountain View area in search of wanted man Demar Williams.

 

Mr. Williams, also known as 'Kye-Kye' or 'Baby Killa', is one of eight prisoners who escaped from the Black River Police lock-up in June. 

 

"They (police) got information that he left the St. Catherine area recently and was hiding out in that community. When they went there, there was an exchange of gunfire. They realised that he was not the only person from that gang. Some of his other cronies were there. They engaged the security forces. At the end of the shooting, one man who is unidentified - they have an idea who he should be but they are awaiting verification - he was shot and succumbed to his injuries."

 

SSP Lindsay said while the security forces were still in the area, gunmen from the Wareika Hill area fired on them, wounding the JDF soldier.   

 

The security operation is continuing in Mountain View in search of the main target as well as the men who fired at the security forces.

 

Mr. Williams is also a person of interest in the murder of a family in Waterloo district, Spanish Town, St. Catherine in September.

 

The police are reminding the public that it is an offence to harbour criminals.

 

 

Residents of Mountain View Avenue staged a fiery protest accusing a member of the Jamaica Defence Force of using excessive force against onlookers during Monday morning's incident. 

 

The protest disrupted commuters, including students, who were going about their business.

 

The roadblock has since been cleared as the security forces continue to monitor the situation.