Four men were killed during three separate alleged confrontations with the police on Friday, raising the number of police-related fatalities to 119 since the beginning of the year.
According to reports, two of today’s fatalities happened during a shootout along the Shooters Hill main road, in 7 Miles, Bull Bay, St. Andrew. At approximately 2:30, members of the constabulary force signalled the driver of a grey Nissan motor car to stop while they were on mobile patrol in the area.
However, the vehicle sped off, and armed men in the vehicle reportedly immediately opened fire on the officers. After the police returned the gunfire, the Nissan motorcar crashed into an embankment.
The men started firing at the police again, and there was a short exchange of gunfire. The gunmen were injured during the reported shootout and were transported to the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) after the shooting subsided.
Both men were later pronounced dead at the hospital. A Taurus 9mm pistol with four 9mm cartridges was seized after the confrontation.
The identities of the men have not yet been confirmed, but one of the deceased is believed to be Marv ‘Indian’ McLaughin. McLaughin was reportedly a high-ranking member of the Toby Gully gang who was previously convicted on robbery and shooting charges. He was also a suspect in the killing of a policeman’s parents.
In regard to the other police-related fatalities which occurred today, one of the deceased has been identified as Kemar Lewis. Lewis was shot and killed during an alleged confrontation with the authorities at Salisbury Plain, St. Andrew.
According to reports, residents of the community said that multiple children were at the house at the time of the incident. The police allegedly instructed them to go to a bathroom, after which gunshots were heard. A gun was also reportedly seized during the confrontation with Lewis.
The name of the man in the fourth fatality on Friday has not been disclosed, but reports state that he was shot and killed in Kings Valley in Grange Hill, Westmoreland.
