Following last Tuesday’s deadly drive-by shooting in central Kingston, one of the police’s suspects was shot and killed during an intelligence-led operation this morning.
The deceased has been identified as Joshua Lawrence. Lawrence, who was also known by the alias ‘Southie’, was allegedly a top-tier member and main shooter for the Wellys Kelly Gang, which operates out of eastern Kingston.
Acting Commissioner of Police (ACP) Michael Phipps shared with the press that Lawrence was fatally shot after allegedly confronting officers in Kingston 16 on 28 Maiden Street. Lawrence was the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) main suspect in the central Kingston drive-by.
Two nine-year-old children were among the six people who were shot last week at the intersection of Charles Street and Text Lane. Reports state that multiple armed men approached the group in a motor vehicle and opened fire.
One of the victims, J-Adore Campbell, later succumbed to the injuries he sustained during the shooting on Saturday. The disabled teen is currently the only fatality from the drive-by, with three of the victims released from the hospital shortly after treatment.
In addition to Tuesday’s shooting, Lawrence was also wanted by the Kingston Eastern police in connection with the murder of Crown witness Lisa Harris in July 2025. The alleged gang member was also connected to several other serious crimes in the police division.
ACP Phipps said that his team is pursuing the remaining suspects in the shooting. The JCF is urging that the assailants in last week’s gun attack report to the Kingston Central Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB) by 6:00 on Tuesday, October 14.
