Prime suspect in murder of St. Ann cop killed in police operation

 

Radio Jamaica News has been informed that the prime suspect who was sought in connection with Monday night's fatal shooting of a policeman in St. Ann, was killed on Tuesday afternoon during a police operation in Steer Town in the parish.

 

The suspect was fatally shot in a special police operation sometime after 3 p.m.

 

The cops are still searching for a second suspect.

 

Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake on Tuesday condemned the murder of Constable Ricardo Fairclough and promised that those involved would be brought to justice.

 

"He was shot and killed by a coward who has no contribution to make the society. While we cannot bring back Constable Fairclough, we owe it to his family, friends and colleagues to ensure that our response is swift and strong. Let our response send a clear message to those who may want to contemplate violence against us, that it is not wise," he said. 

 

It was reported that Constable Fairclough had just left work at the St. Ann's Bay Police Station about 8 p.m. on Monday, and was walking along Bravo Street, when he observed a female vendor being robbed by hoodlums.

 

Constable Fairclough intervened and this led to an exchange of gunfire with two men.

 

He and the vendor were shot.

 

The policeman was later pronounced dead at hospital and the vendor admitted in serious condition.

 

The gunmen escaped.

 

Senior members of the Major Investigation Division (MID) have been deployed to St. Ann to lead the investigation. 

 

Meanwhile, head the Kingdom Lighthouse Apostolic Ministries International in St. Ann, Pastor Paul Norman, said the church has been devastated by the loss of Constable Fairclough, who was a senior member of the church.

 

Pastor Norman said Constable Fairclough played a major role in the Ministry and he had spoken to him shortly before he was killed. 

 

"A policeman in Mandeville had an accident while on duty and he called me - I met him quite a few years ago - He said, 'Pastor, I'm at the hospital and I can't walk.' I said, hold on, there's someone that I always ask to join me in prayer. When I called Officer Ricardo, who is our Deacon, I said, 'Can you pray with someone with me on the line now? I want you to come in agreement with me.' He said, 'Give me 10 minutes'... And the 10 minutes never came," the pastor, who fought back tears, recalled.