News

Police say slain gunman was wanted for several murders

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

THE police yesterday identified one of the two men slain in a shoot-out in Hannah Town, West Kingson, on Monday as Marvin Kelly, also called 'Top Man', who they said was a member of the Columbia Click gang that was responsible for a deadly arson attack in Olympic Gardens two weeks ago.

Two-year-old Jordane Gordon perished in a fire at his home on White Wing Walk that was started by heavily armed men, who -- bent on avenging the shooting death of a man and injury of another at Cling Cling Avenue -- stormed the community, shot up houses and set others on fire.

The toddler died despite attempts by residents to save him.

Meanwhile, the dead man has since been identified as Lukeman Henry who was also known as 'Fruits Man'.

The police alleged that Kelly was killed during their efforts to apprehend him Monday.

Police from the St Andrew South Division went to a house at Blount Street in Hannah Town to search for Kelly and his cronies, based on intelligence gathered.

The cops were allegedly fired on when they attempted to enter the house. Three of the lawmen were hit and their conditions were listed as stable yesterday. A woman, who was also shot during the incident, was too said to be in stable condition.

The police reported that they were also challenged by other gunmen, who fired at them wildly from the rooftops of several high-rise buildings.

When the smoke cleared, Kelly was allegedly found clad in a bullet proof vest and clutching a Glock 19 pistol. Over 100 spent shells for bullets used in AK-47 and M-16 assault rifles were allegedly found on the roofs of the high-rise buildings. In addition, several police service vehicles were shot up as well as the Denham Town Police Station.

In a press release yesterday, director of communications for the constabulary, Karl Angell, said Kelly figured at the top of the St Andrew South Police Division's most wanted list and was wanted for several murders, including that of Gordon.

He was also wanted for a gun murder, which was committed at Grass Quit Glade in Cockburn Pen earlier this year.

He said since Monday's incident, several police officers have received death threats.

"The police consider these threats to be serious and are taking the necessary precautions," the release stated.

In the meantime, the Kingston West Police were keeping a close watch on the area up until late yesterday.

"We still have a presence in the area as things are still tense," Superintendent Arthur Brown told the Observer.

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COMMENTS (13)

Leanora Holland
3/18/2010

Mr. Richard Edards
You are talking about Jamaica 30 years ago.
A democratic country can't cower and let 2,000 "badman" murder, main and intimidate 21/2 million law abiding citizens. Kill dem!!! Eradicate dem!!! The legal system cannot deal with them. It's too far gone. Keep them on the run Officers and cleanse Jamaica before it's too late. We need to go back to the days when we can sleep with our windows open. Make all the video you want and put it on Youtube. No one cares. I don't think one man could shoot all three police. They were not innocent and three gone - 1,997 left. Had they not died, the next day would kill more. To the police - good job, but you have to keep up the pressure - chase them out to sea until Jamaica is free of them.
TG I will pray for you because you don't get it. Stop the killing of innocent people now!! Or you yourself will be a statistics.

Carl Brow
3/18/2010

Its funny how they say wanted men are innocent//what makes them innocent? the fact that they haven't killed anyone that day? Killed in cold blood they say..so are Police to go for them when they are armed? the same way how criminals think the police are starting to think..so its similar to a role change..It was even said that some of these men were in police uniform..I dont believe that any of these men deserve to die..however..if u live by the gun u gonna die by it..Now for all these people who a bawl seh man innocent and there was no shoot out..It would be incredibly dumb or spiteful for police men to shoot each other especially so dangerously (in the neck) just to defend their case..Jamaica will never be better unless we educate those in the inner city communities and remove the brainwash helmet from their heads..the dons and gunmen are the ones who control these people..they dont have a mind to think for themselves because they fear for their lives..its reall really sad..Jamaica land I loved

mike anderson
3/17/2010

Unfortunately this is not the USA, where it is not the norm to try to kill lawmen. These cops were attacked from rooftops and other places, this is no different than combat in Iraq. People living in there ivory castle in America is unaware what it is like in the trenches of these killing fields in Jamaica. I agree there are times when the cops overstep ther bounds but let us not be so naive to think these are all angels coming from church as we are led to believe. The only regret i have is that the cops are ill equipped, how about a few apache helicopter gun ships

carlton burton
3/17/2010

"*Woman hold her head and cry,for her son has been shot in the street and died,she cried oh yes she cried.How can she work it out when she knows that THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH.".....When the gunman shoots a cop he is a hero.When the cop shoots a gunman he is an innocent in his bed when he was shot..Ask ANY gunman or gang member how long he or she thinks they will die,they will tell you ANY TIME..They are ready to die...How many gunman or gang member live to a ripe old age..NOT EVEN JIM BROWN

Garnett Green
3/17/2010

Wonder of wonders three policemen shot by sleeping gunman. Preposterous!
Its the protestors who are sleeping. Wake up out of your malaise and stop defending these murderers. Seems as if the policemen shot themselves. Laughable.

T G
3/17/2010

LOL so what if he was wanted?
Did the police shoot the other two men in cold blood?
Subject of an upcoming video I think I will make.
By the police own accounts they had all the time to surround the house and wait the shooter out, instead the one cop kick dung the door.
Sounds like poor technique to me or worse blood thirsty arrogance?
This is the reason why we need An Independent Body to investigate these State Assassinations.
....TG....

Bev Brown
3/17/2010

I know citizens have rights. But I am lobbying that a law be passed that these citizens should be charges with disorderly conduct when they block streets and make false statement. That mother ,(and yes I agree that as mothers our first instinct is to protect our children. However, we should know and we often know when our children do wrong and as good parents we should punish them.) who publicly declare that her GOLDEN CHILD never do nutting, Her G.C. is a good son who was never arrested, that mother should be locked up and charged for child abuse. That woe-man knew her deceased G C was a damn criminal.

tina chambers
3/17/2010

these guys r the worst set of murders, the police should kill more of them shoot out or no shoot out ....

Doug Campbell
3/17/2010

Good work Officers in flushing out these lowlifes, now we will all hear the usual moanings from the JFJ etal about how good these men were, they were "Community Leaders" and how they used to help old women across the street and they used to attend sunday shool plus everything the police said are lies they were just innocent youths asleep in their beds.
We the decent Jamaicans support you in your drive to rid our island of these terrorists who operate openly amongst us. Thanks a lot and take a bow.

Richard Edwards
3/17/2010

Mike Wiily, yes it does matter sir, you don't kill civilains, no matter how wanted they are, if they challenge the police forces, then certainly the police have the right to defend themselves, and in the process criminals will be killed, and understandbly so, but when a criminal surrenders with is arms elevated way above his head, and he is shot to death by the police, that is not police protocol sir, they same would be true if the person was sleeping, you arrest the person and bring them before the courts, but thats not how it is done in Jamaica.
Richard Edwards. New York City
betterlifeforjamaicans@yahoo.com

derrick anthony
3/17/2010

A MOTHER IS ALWAYS GOING TO STAND UP FOR HER CHILD, REGARDLESS IF THE CHILD IS A CRIMINAL/MUDERER OR WHAT EVER, A MOTHER INSTINCT IS TO DEFEND HER CHILD, SO PLZ WAKE UP.

Karen Lee
3/17/2010

I agree with you mike...the thing is they went in search of "fruits man" when the police gained entrance to the premises fruits man shot the first officer in the neck..then say"oh no, mi get shot" then the second officer who was in the house was met with gunfire, he was backed in a corner where he was running for his life, he subsequently got backed in the corner of the bathroom where fruitsman aimed the gun at the officers head, the officer shielded his head.. the officer finally got hold of his gun..then start fi buss shot afta fruitsman...the officer was very shaken up as he saw his life flash infront of him...SO NO DIS JANKRO NEVAH DID A SLEEP, AND HIM MUMMA A COME TALK BOUT SHE NUH KNOW AR SON AS GUNMAN.....PLEASE...MY HATS OF TO THE OFFICERS WHO DID THEM JOB...THANK GOD NONE OF THEM DID NOT DIE CAUSE THESE GUNMEN ARE TOO BRAZEN...

mike willy
3/17/2010

I think criminal activities are also supported by parents as well. Yesterday the parents of Mr Kelly said their son was no gunman yet he was on the Police wanted list for murder. On top of that the citizens (who has rights) says the men were not killed in a shootout, they were sleeping.
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