Man shot dead after allegedly pulling gun on police during St Catherine operation

A 41-year-old man was shot and killed after allegedly brandishing an illegal firearm at police during an early morning operation in Gordon Pen, Spanish Town, St Catherine, on Wednesday.

The deceased has been identified as Andrae Belone, otherwise called 'Coolie,' a labourer of Marl Road in Gordon Pen.

Reports are that about 5:30 a.m., members of the St Catherine North Police Division, armed with arrest warrants for murder suspects, carried out an operation in the area.

The team proceeded to a premises containing two houses. Police say they identified themselves and knocked on the door of one of the buildings, where they observed a man and a woman inside.

Instructions were given for both occupants to open the door and exit the building. The woman complied, however the man allegedly refused.

Police say a further instruction was issued for Belone to come outside, but he instead allegedly pulled a handgun from the back of his waistband.

The police team reportedly took evasive action and discharged their weapons in his direction. When the shooting subsided, Belone was seen on the floor with what appeared to be gunshot wounds.

A Smith & Wesson pistol with an obscured serial number and fitted with a magazine containing three rounds of ammunition was reportedly seized at the scene.

The injured man was taken to the Spanish Town Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Independent Commission of Investigations has launched a probe into the incident.

- Rasbert Turner

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