Seven killed in Jamaica police operations across three parishes

Seven men were fatally shot in separate police operations across St. Catherine, St. Andrew, and Clarendon. A police officer was also injured and at least five firearms were seized.

Deadly day for Jamaica's security forces as seven shot dead in police operations

Seven men were fatally shot during separate confrontations with police across St. Catherine, St. Andrew, and Clarendon on Tuesday, while one officer was injured and at least five firearms were recovered, thestkittsnevisobserver.com reports — marking one of the deadliest days involving Jamaica's security forces this year.

The most serious incident unfolded shortly after 1:40 p.m. in the Bog Walk Gorge area of St. Catherine, where officers came under attack and exchanged gunfire with armed men. Four men were shot during the confrontation and later pronounced dead at hospital.

A police officer attached to the Linstead Police Station was shot and injured during the exchange. His condition was not immediately disclosed.

Officers subsequently pursued suspects believed to have fled the Bog Walk area. The operation extended to the vicinity of the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in Spanish Town around 5:30 p.m., where a further alleged gun battle resulted in the death of a fifth man. Three firearms were recovered across the two linked St. Catherine operations, including one at the Spanish Town scene.

The identities of the five deceased men had not been released at press time.

The shootings triggered major disruptions along the Bog Walk Gorge corridor, forcing motorists to reverse course as gunfire rang out along the busy roadway. Authorities advised commuters to avoid the area and use alternative routes while investigators processed the scenes. The corridor remained closed for several hours, affecting hundreds of travellers between St. Catherine and St. Ann.

One motorist described the ordeal as terrifying. "All along you hear about police and gunmen in shootouts, but this is the first time I have ever experienced something like this. I'm just thankful that we made it through alive," the motorist said.

Earlier that morning, at approximately 5:20 a.m., a man identified as Orlando Nembhard was fatally shot during an alleged confrontation with police in Crofts Hill, Good Hope, Clarendon. He was shot and injured during the encounter and later pronounced dead at the Chapleton Hospital. Police reported recovering a .38 revolver loaded with five cartridges at the scene.

In a separate incident in the Land Lease community of Papine, St. Andrew, another man was shot dead during a reported confrontation with officers on patrol around 4 p.m. According to investigators, a passenger exited an intercepted vehicle and opened fire on police. Two officers returned fire, fatally wounding the man, who died at hospital. His identity had not been released at press time. A Luger 9mm pistol and nine rounds of ammunition were recovered at the scene.

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has been notified of all seven fatal shootings and has launched separate investigations into each case.

As of June 9, INDECOM was already investigating 143 fatal shootings involving members of the security forces since the start of 2026. Tuesday's incidents are expected to raise that figure once formally recorded. The seven deaths bring the total of fatal police shootings this month to eleven, pointing to a sharp escalation in deadly confrontations involving law enforcement across the island.

Source: Google News JM — Crime