POST-NOMINATION Day violence escalated yesterday as one man was killed, two policemen were shot and injured and an illegal firearm was seized in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.
The dead man has been identified as Harold Lee of McVickers Lane, Spanish Town. The two policemen, a Constable and a Corporal from the Crime Management Unit/Special Anti-Crime Task Force,were admitted to hospital in stable condition.
One of the policemen was shot in the mouth and his leg was broken, while the other was shot in his side. The firearm, a Davis Industries .380 semi-automatic pistol, was reportedly taken from the body of the dead man.
The incident followed a series of shootings, allegedly between political factions in the Tawes Pen/St. John's Road communities, police told The Gleaner.
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate Olivia "Babsy" Grange said she was shot at while touring the St. John's Road area in a motorcade on Monday night. She said a few days ago about 25 gunmen had invaded another section of the St. John's Road area but ran into a police patrol on their way out.
However, she said she could not comment on yesterday's incident as she was not in the constituency at the time.
Homer White, the People's National Party (PNP) candidate, said he couldn't comment either as he was out of the constituency and needed to be briefed by the police. He also noted that where the shootings took place bordered the South Central St. Catherine constituency.
"I really don't know what is the position," Mr. White said. However, he said that he was surprised Ms Grange was shot at on Monday, but did not make it public until yesterday.
Police said shooting began yesterday sometime before 5:00 p.m. when there was a thunderous exchange of gunfire between men from St. John's Road and Tawes Pen.
Several roads in the community, including the Spanish Town Square, were blocked by residents with tyres and other debris. Traffic had to be diverted from the area because of the gunfire.
The Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) reported that, at about 6 p.m., members of a police party saw a Toyota Corolla motor car, registered 0727 BW, with a group of men on Burke Road. The police said that their suspicions were aroused by the men's actions and they challenged them. The police said that the men pulled guns and opened fire at them before driving off.
The police said that they gave chase and the car was intercepted on Ellis Road. They said that during an ansuing shootout one of the men was fatally shot and the two policemen shot and injured. A .380 semi automatic pistol and three spent shells were recovered, the police said. The injured policemen were taken to the hospital, where they were admitted. The Spanish Town police are investigating.
The police said there were several other exchanges of gunfire between gunmen in the area following the initial shooting.
Last night the roads were cleared and police and members of the Jamaica Defence force were maintaining a strong presence in the area.
