POLICE KILL 7 - One cop injured, five guns reportedly seized in operations across three parishes on bloody Tuesday

Seven men were fatally shot in separate police operations across St Catherine, St Andrew and Clarendon on Tuesday, while a policeman was injured and at least five firearms were reportedly seized, in what appeared to be one of the deadliest days involving the security forces so far in 2026.

The bloodiest incident unfolded shortly after 1:40 p.m. in the Bog Walk Gorge area of St Catherine, where police reported that officers came under attack and engaged armed men in a shootout. 

Four civilians were shot during the confrontation and later pronounced dead at hospital. 

A policeman assigned to the Linstead Police Station was also shot and injured. His condition was not known up to press time last night.

The police said officers subsequently pursued other men believed to have fled the area. The operation reportedly extended to the vicinity of G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in Spanish Town about 5:30 p.m., where another alleged gun battle took place. A fifth man was fatally shot during that incident.

The identities of the five deceased men had not been established up to press time. 

The police reported recovering three firearms from the linked St Catherine operations, including one seized during the Spanish Town incident.

The shootings caused major disruption along the Bog Walk Gorge corridor, forcing motorists to retreat as gunfire echoed through the normally busy thoroughfare. Police later advised commuters to avoid the area and use alternative routes while investigators processed the scenes. The closure affected hundreds of motorists travelling between St Catherine and St Ann, and the roadway remained closed up to 6:30 p.m.

One motorist who witnessed part of the incident described the ordeal as frightening.

“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 in the day, a man was fatally shot during an alleged confrontation with police in Crofts Hill, Good Hope, Clarendon. Police identified him as Orlando Nembhard.

According to reports, Nembhard was shot and injured during an armed confrontation with lawmen about 5:20 a.m. He was transported to the Chapleton Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said a .38 revolver loaded with five cartridges was recovered at the scene.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident in the Land Lease community of Papine, St Andrew, another man was fatally shot during a reported confrontation with police.

According to police reports, officers were on patrol about 4 p.m. when they intercepted a motor vehicle. A passenger allegedly exited the vehicle and opened fire at the police, prompting two officers to return fire. The man was hit and later pronounced dead at hospital. His identity had not been released up to press time.

The police reported recovering a Luger 9mm pistol and nine rounds of ammunition during the incident. 

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) was notified of all seven fatal shootings and has launched separate probes into each incident.

As of June 9, INDECOM was investigating 143 fatal shootings involving members of the security forces since the start of the year. Tuesday's incidents are expected to push that figure higher once formally recorded by the oversight body.

The seven fatalities recorded on Tuesday add to four fatal police shootings already reported this month, underscoring the scale of a day that saw deadly police operations unfold across three parishes.

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com