Forbes POLICE COMMISSIONER Frances Forbes has come out in a quick show of support of the members of the constabulary involved in yesterday's early morning shoot-out in Braeton, St. Catherine which left seven alleged gunmen dead.
Addressing journalists at a press conference at his Hope Road office yesterday afternoon, Mr. Forbes said that the police had little choice but to exercise deadly force.
According to the Commissioner, given the physical limitations of the location -- a house in a densely organised housing scheme -- the police were unable to attempt capturing the men without placing their lives in danger. He said they had no option but to respond in kind once the men refused to surrender and started shooting.
"There is always sadness at the loss of life, whether the deceased be criminals or innocent persons," Mr. Forbes said, but in the same breath added, "... tonight a community and indeed Jamaica will rest much easier in the sure knowledge that four guns which were recovered during the operation can no longer be turned on innocent persons."
The Commissioner also confirmed that three of the seven men had been identified by witnesses as having been involved in the Tuesday night murder of Hartlands All-Age School Principal Keith Morris.
In addition, one of the four guns recovered from the scene was reportedly the same .38 Smith & Wesson service revolver taken from Police Constable Dwight Gibson who was murdered at the Above Rocks Police Station on Thursday March 1. The police say this confirms earlier information that those cornered in the operation were members of a 20-member gang involved in killing Constable Gibson "for the sole purpose of taking the revolver with which [he] was armed."
Mr. Forbes also acknowledged that at least two of the "men" killed were teenagers, and added that they had been described as "problem kids" by members of the community.
The police involved in the operation had reported that some of the gunmen had escaped from the shootout, but the exact number is not known. The police said that these men might be nursing gunshot wounds, and the Commissioner appealed to members of the public not to harbour them.
"Harbouring criminal elements is an offence punishable by law," he warned.
