By Devon Evans, Gleaner WriterOCHO RIOS
THE POLICE in St. Ann have launched a manhunt for a man who shot and injured two policemen in an early morning incident at the Claremont police station. The two policemen, whose injuries have not been considered serious were identified as Constable W. Campbell and District Constable A. Campbell. They were shot in the right side and right ankle respectively.
Meanwhile, the man on the run has been identified as 26-year-old Curtis Armstrong of Bensonton district in St. Ann. Armstrong is said to be a deportee from the United States and was reportedly on probation for wounding another man in April 2002. Officials could not say how they identified the man or why he was deported.
More than 3,000 Jamaicans were deported from abroad last year, most for criminal offences.
Reports from policemen at the Claremont police station are that about 4 a.m. yesterday, the two lawmen involved in the incident saw Armstrong on the compound of the police station and tried to apprehend him. They reported that Armstrong responded by firing shots at them, and then ran to the adjoining post office premises with the two cops in pursuit.
On the post office compound, Armstrong reportedly fired more shots, this time hitting the policemen. He then ran leaving a bag containing an axe saw blade and a pair of pliers.
The two injured policemen were taken to the St. Ann's Bay Hospital for treatment. Constable Campbell was released some time later, but D.C. Campbell remained hospitalised.
Police investigating the incident say they are still unable to establish a motive for Armstrong's presence at the station so early in the morning. They, however, strongly feel that he was either preparing to break into the post office, the jail cell at the station or nearby business places. Since this morning's shooting the police have been busily patrolling the area in search of Armstrong. Searches have been conducted in Claremont, Bensonton and adjoining areas, but without success.
Reporters John Myers and Leslie McLean contributed to this story.
