The Kingston Central police say that four men were killed and five firearms recovered after a heated pre-dawn shootout in downtown Kingston on Wednesday (May 8). 

According to preliminary information, a patrol team was on duty along Princess Street in the vicinity of the Kingston Public Hospital (KHP), when they heard several loud explosions coming from Orange Street around 1:17 am.

The police team proceeded to the area, in the vicinity of the Tranquility Funeral Home, where several armed men were engaged in a gun battle amongst themselves. 

On observing the police, the gunmen opened fire at the patrol team, challenging them in a gunfight. 

The men reportedly ran in different directions, when shortly after a white 2012 Toyota Isis van drove out of the open lot near the old JPS building. The marauding gunmen opened gunfire at the police, attempting to escape by driving north along Orange Street. The police went in pursuit. The vehicle crashed at the intersection of King and Charles Streets. 

Police report that six men exited the car, firing at the lawmen, who returned the fire. Three of the men were hit and fell to the ground, and three 9mm pistols were taken from their person.

It is not immediately clear from the preliminary report whether the three yet-to-be-identified men died on the spot or were later pronounced dead at hospital.

A search of the vehicle was carried out, and two M16 rifles were found. The other men escaped along Beeston Street. 

Shortly after, one of the men who had engaged the police was seen along Beeston and Orange Streets, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was assisted to KPH, where he was pronounced dead. His identity was not released at the time of publication.

During the shooting, the men also fired on a team from Kingston West Police Division that came to help, with one constable being shot and injured in his right arm. The injured cop was treated at KPH and subsequently released. 

Superintendent of Police Beresford Williams, head of the Kingston Central Division, told Our Today that investigations continue into the shooting.

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