Seven men were fatally shot in separate police operations across St. Catherine, St Andrew, and Clarendon, while a police officer was injured and at least five firearms were reportedly seized, marking one of the deadliest days involving Jamaica’s security forces so far this year.
The most serious incident occurred shortly after 1:40 p.m. in the Bog Walk Gorge area of St Catherine, where police said officers came under attack and engaged armed men in a shootout. Four men were shot during the confrontation and later pronounced dead at the hospital.
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A police officer attached to the Linstead Police Station was also shot and injured during the incident. His condition was not immediately disclosed.
According to police reports, officers later pursued other suspects believed to have fled the area. The operation reportedly extended to the vicinity of the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in Spanish Town around 5:30 p.m., where another alleged gun battle took place. A fifth man was fatally shot during that encounter.
The identities of the five deceased men had not been released up to press time.
Police said three firearms were recovered during the linked St Catherine operations, including one seized during the Spanish Town incident.
The shootings caused major disruptions along the Bog Walk Gorge corridor, forcing motorists to turn back as gunfire echoed through the busy roadway. Authorities later advised commuters to avoid the area and use alternative routes while investigators processed the scenes. The roadway remained closed for several hours, affecting hundreds of motorists travelling between St Catherine and St Ann.
One motorist described the experience 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, a man identified as Orlando Nembhard was fatally shot during an alleged confrontation with police in Crofts Hill, Good Hope, Clarendon.
Police reported that Nembhard was shot and injured during the encounter around 5:20 a.m. and was later pronounced dead at the Chapleton Hospital. A .38 revolver loaded with five cartridges was reportedly 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 investigators, officers on patrol around 4 p.m. intercepted a motor vehicle when a passenger allegedly exited and opened fire on the police. Two officers returned fire, fatally wounding the man, who later died at hospital.
His identity had not been released up to press time.
Police said a Luger 9mm pistol and nine rounds of ammunition were recovered following the incident.
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 investigating 143 fatal shootings involving members of the security forces since the start of 2026. Tuesday’s incidents are expected to increase that figure once formally recorded.
The seven fatalities add to four fatal police shootings already reported this month, highlighting a sharp escalation in deadly confrontations involving law enforcement across the island.
