Key Takeaways
- Law enforcement officers fatally shot a woman during a shootout in Mandeville while responding to a robbery.
- Police intercepted a getaway vehicle, leading to a standoff and gun battle that resulted in three injuries.
- The victims were rushed to Mandeville Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival.
- In a separate operation, law enforcement officers arrested eight suspects in Glendevon related to a fraudulent transactions scheme.
- Charges include violations of the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) Act, with court dates pending for the accused.
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Law enforcement officers have confirmed that a woman was one of three people the police fatally shot during an alleged shootout. This unfortunate incident occurred along Caledonia Road in Mandeville on Saturday afternoon.
At approximately 4:00 PM, police responded to a robbery in Mandeville and later intercepted a getaway vehicle near Horseshoe Curve.
As a result, the occupants of the vehicle became desperate and allegedly opened fire on the police officers. Fearing for their lives, the officers took evasive action and returned fire. A shootout ensued, leading to a prolonged standoff and running gun battle.
When the gun battle ceased, the brave law enforcement officers removed three injuried individuals, including a woman from the vehicle.
The courageous and humane officers quickly transported the victims to the Mandeville Hospital. Unfortunately, the medical staff pronounced them dead on arrival.
Law enforcement officers said the deadly shooting occurred near the site of a double murder on July 18. In that incident, nursing student Deenekia Pounall and Sadefa Henry were shot and killed in a taxi. A gunman, who pretended to be a passenger, carried out the attack.
Law enforcement officers arrested and charged eight suspects in ‘Operation Sweepstakes’ in St James.
On Thursday, July 23, cops from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Specialized Investigation Branch arrested and charged eight people, including two U.S. citizens. This happened during a sweepstakes operation in Glendevon, St. James.
The individuals charged are Natalia Baker, 21, from Rochester, New York, and Cruiz Amari Harding, 18, from Georgia. Additionally, the police charged six other accused from Glendevon, St. James. They are, Chrislan Muschette, 19; Tiana Sloley, 27; Romario Cunningham, 29; Kemar Grant, 27; Geovanie Cunningham, 21; and Romain Salmon, 22.
They are all facing charges for violations of the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act.
Early in the morning around 4:00 a.m., members of the Anti-Lottery Scam Unit, along with support from the Specialized Operations Branch, carried out searches at several locations. During these searches, they seized a range of items, including lead sheets, debit cards, a high-end motor vehicle, and cell phones.
The police charged Harding with possession of an access device, and charged the other suspects with possession of identity information.
Investigators said court appearance dates for the accused are pending.