Two suspects in Linstead mass shooting killed in police operations

 

The Police High Command is reporting that two of the suspects who were being sought in connection with Sunday's mass shooting in Commodore, Linstead, St. Catherine, were fatally shot during separate police operations on Thursday.

 

A rifle and a pistol were seized in the operations.

 

The High Command said the operations were carried out in search of the suspects involved in the fatal shooting of five people, including a four-year-old child, in the Commodore community. 

 

Four other people were wounded in the attack which has caused outrage around the country. 

 

In the first incident on Thursday, which occurred shortly after 5 a.m., a joint police military team conducted

an intelligence-led operation at Jewels Estate, Knollis, Bog Walk. 

 

According to the police, upon entering the premises, the team was reportedly confronted by a man armed with a rifle who pointed the weapon in the direction of the officers. 

 

The lawmen opened fire and the man was later pronounced dead. 

 

The police say they seized an M16 rifle along with a magazine and ammunition. 

 

In the second operation, another police team intercepted a vehicle in which several men were travelling along Grange Lane, also in St. Catherine. 

 

The occupants of the vehicle reportedly opened fire at the police. 

 

The gunfire was returned and when the shooting subsided, one man was found suffering from gunshot wounds. 

 

A pistol was seized from the wounded man who was taken to Spanish Town Hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

 

The government announced a bounty of $2 million for information leading to the capture of the suspects involved in the Commodore mass shooting. 

 

The Jamaica Constabulary Force on Thursday urged members of the public to share information that can assist in the investigation of these and other incidents.

 

Persons may contact Crime Stop at 311, the NIB tip line at 811 or the nearest police station.

 

Meanwhile, head of the Area 5 Police Assistant Commissioner Christopher Phillips said the police have intensified their manhunt for other suspects involved in the mass shooting.

 

"The investigations into what took place in Commodore is ongoing and they [is] still information that I cannot divulge. But just to say that these two incidents are connected to that investigation and we will have several other operations, you know, with intent to try and arrest some of these persons who were involved in that gruesome and awful incident in Commodore."

 

He urged residents of Linstead, St. Catherine to continue to support the police and appealed for patience as the cops increase their presence in the area and continue their investigations to secure justice for the victims. 

 

The 48-hour curfew imposed on the communities of Commodore, Banbury and Trinity in St. Catherine has been extended until 6 p.m. Friday.