Key Takeaways
- Security forces shot and neutralized three individuals in St. Andrew, including an alleged Speculation Gang member named Dewar Archibald.
- Police intercepted a Honda HR-V in Knightsdale Drive, where suspects opened fire, leading to a violent confrontation.
- Two illegal firearms were seized after the incident, and police pronounced the injured individuals dead at the hospital.
- Authorities identified Archibald as a high-risk criminal linked to robberies and two murders over the last nine months.
- Since the start of the year, police have neutralized 212 individuals in Jamaica.
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In the early hours of Sunday morning in St. Andrew, police shot and neutralized three individuals. Among those neutralized was an alleged member of the Speculation Gang and one woman. This occurred during a confrontation with armed suspects in St. Andrew.
Authorities have identified one of the three deceased individuals as Dewar Archibald, otherwise called “Max”. The police described Archibald as a high-risk criminal target who allegedly has ties with the Speculation Gang.
According to reports, the police seized two illegal firearms following the incident.
Authorities stated that a team from the Specialized Operations Squad was on patrol in the Red Hills community at around 1:45 am. At that time, they received intelligence about a group of armed men. These individuals were reportedly traveling in a red Honda HR-V and a white Toyota Probox. Furthermore, they were allegedly preparing to commit criminal offenses in the St. Andrew North Police Division.
Preliminary police accounts indicated that officers attempted to intercept the vehicles. However, the drivers failed to stop, and a chase resulted.
Police intercepted Honda HR-V near Knightsdale Drive, in St Andrew, and the occupants opened fire at the police.
However, the officers eventually intercepted the Honda HR-V near Knightsdale Drive, where the occupants reportedly opened fire at the police.
As a result, the police took evasive actions and returned fire.
When the shooting ceased, the police found Archibald and two other persons suffering from wounds they sustained during the firefight.
Officers rushed the injured individuals to the Kingston Public Hospital, where the authorities pronounced them deceased.
The police have yet to confirm the identities of the other two persons.
Law enforcement have identified Archibald as one of the main organizers of robberies and break-ins targeting automated teller machines (ATMs), remittance agencies and other cash-intensive businesses. Additionally, he was also implicated in two murders committed within the past nine months.
According to the latest figures published by the Independent Commission of Investigation, the police have neutralized 212 Jamaicans since the beginning of the year.