WESTERN BUREAU:
IN WHAT the Constabulary Com-munication Network (CCN) has described as an apparent case of mistaken identity, a Jamaica Defence Force marine officer was fatally shot and a policeman shot and injured in an exchange of gunfire between JDF personnel and police in Westmoreland on Friday.
Reports are that the deceased, 29-year-old Private, Ian Reid, who was attached to the JDF Coast Guard, along with his colleagues were transporting a seized 'go fast' vessel from Montego Bay to Kingston when they encountered severe weather conditions and docked at Little Bay in Westmoreland. It is reported that after docking, Private Reid was left to guard the boat which had also developed mechanical problems while his colleagues left for a nearby shop.
It is further alleged that at about 10:30 p.m. that night a police patrol responded to a report that men with guns where seen in the Little Bay area. It is unclear what happened next, but the CCN said on the approach of the policemen to the area, a 'go fast' boat was seen and then gunshots were heard.
During the exchange of gunfire a police constable was shot in the foot and Private Reid was later found suffering form gunshot wounds. Both men were taken to the Sav-la-mar hospital where the soldier was pronounced dead and the policeman treated and released.
Meanwhile a policeman was shot and killed and a civilian shot and injured outside a Montego Bay nightclub early yesterday morning by a lone gunman. The policeman has been identified as Detective Constable Levine Garnett, believed to be in his early 40s. The slain lawman, who resides in Montego Bay, was attached to the Westmoreland Crime Investigation Bureau.
It's reported that about 1:40 a.m. yesterday, Detective Constable Garnett, and the other man said to be a 52-year-old mason of a Rose Mount address were sitting in the vicinity of the Las Vegas Night Club at the corner of Church and St. James streets in Montego Bay when they were approached by a gunman.
The gunman then brandished a handgun and shot the two men then stole the lawman's service firearm and fled. Detective Constable Garnett, was hit in the neck and chest, and the other man, who also sustained gunshot wounds, were taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where the lawman was pronounced dead and the other man admitted in a serious condition. The gunman robbed the Detective Constable
of his 9mm semi automatic service pistol, serial number 245DY11658 before fleeing.
This brings to five the number of policemen killed by gunmen since the start of the year.
Last week Constable Everton Dennis was shot and killed in St. Catherine when three gunmen attacked him as he sat in his car conversing with a companion.
