According police reports, at approximately 11 p.m. on Friday, a police team was patrolling a section of the Tucker community when they observed a group of three men, who immediately sped off into nearby bushes. The police allege that the fleeing men came upon another group of policemen who were on foot patrol, and a gun battle ensued. When the shooting ended, it was discovered that two members of the police party, along with Brown and Haughton had sustained gunshot injuries. Brown and Haughton were subsequently pronounced dead at hospital.

The police have also reported that a third man escaped, and that they recovered a .38 revolver.

Residents (including family members of the dead men) are however claiming that both men were innocent.

According to reports, Parchment was shot in the neck during a spot check on Spanish Town Road while returning home from a wedding in which he served as the best man. He died shortly after 12:00 am Easter Sunday at the Kingston Public Hospital.

His death sparked widespread condemnation from members of the public, and Acting Commissioner Ellington described the killing “as tragic and regrettable and one which raises concerns about how the operation was conducted“.

According to police reports, at approximately 4 p.m. on Sunday, one Julian Dillon allegedly arrived at a business place in Sydenham Park on a bicycle. He reportedly brandished a gun, and was immediately challenged by a plainclothes policeman who shot him. The gun was seized, and Dillon died of his injuries yesterday morning.

As news spread of his death, residents blocked the streets in protest, claiming that Dillon was killed in cold blood. The police’s Bureau of Special Investigations are reportedly investigating the matter.

According to police reports, at about 12:20 p.m. yesterday, police and military team were conducting an operation in the area, and as they approached a particular house, they allegedly came under heavy gunfire from three men. The police returned fire, and when the shooting had subsided, two of the men were found suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the two was allegedly found clutching a Magnum .44 revolver with one live round and two empty casings, while the other was found with a homemade shotgun loaded with three live shotgun cartridges. The men were pronounced dead at hospital.

Irate residents however, have denied the police account of the incident. They allege that the two men were accosted by the police party, and shot at close range after a short conversation. They also allege that after one of the men was shot, he ran to another section of the house and held on to his grandmother, but he was then grabbed by the police and taken back into the kitchen where they shot him again.

The police’s Bureau of Special Investigation is said to be probing the matter.

The other policeman who was arrested during the incident, is said to be a member of the Island Special Constabulary Force, and remains in hospital under police guard.

Greensword, the reported head of the Boston gang, was reportedly on his way from court when the car in which he was traveling was fired on by suspected members of the St. Catherine-based Clansman gang. Persons in both speeding cars reportedly traded gunfire before they were accosted by members of the police team. During a chase, both cars crashed and the police held four men, including the two policemen. Three of those held were admitted to hospital with wounds that were sustained when the vehicles crashed. Greensword’s body was taken from one of the vehicles, and it appeared that he had been shot by his rivals during the gun battle.

The police issued a release yesterday indicating that Shaneel James, 24, was shot dead by police who were responding to reports that men were firing shots and looting several houses on Stephens Lane. The police said that upon entering the area, they were fired at by men who ran in different directions. They returned fire and James was allegedly found with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Kingston Public Hospital.

Residents are however disputing the police’s report on the incident, and claim that James was held and shot dead by the lawmen who entered his house while he was cooking. He was reportedly screaming for mercy while the police were allegedly shooting him. The residents allege also that after the police murdered James, they then opened fire on the crowd that had converged on the scene. It is then, they say, that three females (including a 10 year old girl) were shot and injured.

The unlawful wounding incident reportedly arose prior to his arrest for murder in April, but the Director of Public Prosecutions ruled only last week that he should be arrested on the charge of wounding. He will stay in custody until September 15 when the case comes up for mention again, but police officers who were present at the courthouse yesterday were reportedly not amused that the judge denied bail, particularly given that he was already bailed on a more serious capital murder charge … so they did not see why bail would be denied for this lesser charge.

The police believe that a third man escaped during the shoot out, and believe that he is wanted for various gun crimes in the area. An illegal firearm was reportedly recovered from the scene of the shoot out by the police.

Meanwhile, during yesterday’s protests by residents, a woman’s hand was reportedly broken during a scuffle with the police who were attempting to quell the demonstration. The police eventually used tear gas to disperse the crowd, and also detained several of the protesters.