JDF Soldier Shot Dead in St Andrew Ambush, Policeman Escapes

A 24-year-old Jamaica Defence Force soldier was killed in a gun attack on Stephen Lane, Waltham Park Road. A policeman who was with him narrowly escaped injury.

JDF Private Daniel Crawford Killed in Waltham Park Road Shooting

A Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldier was shot and killed along Stephen Lane off Waltham Park Road in St Andrew on Tuesday night, while a policeman travelling with him narrowly escaped harm, jamaicaobserver.com reports.

The deceased has been identified as Private Daniel Crawford, 24, from Bryan's Land district in Spaulding, Clarendon.

Shortly before 9:00 pm, Crawford and the policeman were travelling together in a motor vehicle when Crawford received a phone call. After the call ended, he told the policeman he needed to make a drop-off to a female friend along Waltham Park Road. The two drove to Stephen Lane, where Crawford stepped out of the vehicle, leaving the policeman inside.

When Crawford failed to return after several minutes, the cop began calling his phone. The calls went unanswered.

A man then knocked on the vehicle's window and told the policeman that his friend was calling for him. The officer exited the car and followed the man to a nearby premises. The man directed him to enter a building, but the policeman grew suspicious and refused.

The man then allegedly grabbed the officer and tried to pull him inside. The cop resisted and broke free. The man reportedly drew a firearm from his waistband and aimed it at the policeman, who responded by discharging four rounds from his Glock pistol. The gunman staggered into the premises; the officer fled on foot.

While running, the policeman heard multiple gunshots fired behind him. He jumped a fence and continued through several yards until he reached another roadway, where a group of approximately five men allegedly opened fire upon seeing him. He ran into a nearby premises and continued until he reached Waltham Park Road, where he flagged down a marked police vehicle and reported the incident.

Additional police units were deployed and a search of the area was carried out. Crawford was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head. He was rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The JDF confirmed the loss in a social media post on Wednesday, stating it was "saddened by the passing of Private Daniel Crawford who died tragically on February 10, 2026." The force extended condolences to Crawford's family, friends and loved ones.

Police have launched a manhunt for those responsible for the attack.

Source: Google News JM — Kingston