BULL BAY, St Andrew – Robert Muir, the man who officers said caused many Bull Bay residents to cower in fear at the mention of his name and who topped the most wanted list in Eastern Kingston, was one of two men killed by police earlier this week.

Muir, 33, also known as “Bobby”, was head of the notorious Robert Muir gang, which plagued the Bull Bay area with extortion. His targets were heavy trucks, mini-buses and taxis, which travelled the Bull Bay to St Thomas route. He was believed to have been the last surviving member of the “Barnes gang”, which was also involved in a series of criminal activities in Bull Bay.

Commander of the Eastern Kingston Division, Superintendent Assan Thompson said Muir was wanted for questioning in connection with several murders and shootings, but that he had managed to elude the police up to the time of his death Tuesday.

“This man was a very dangerous person. In fact, after Delano “Delly Bop” Waite (who was also killed by police earlier this year), he was the number one criminal in this division. He was wanted in connection to several murders and shootings committed in the Eleven Miles, Ten Miles and ‘Tank-weld’ areas of Bull Bay,” Thompson told the Observer yesterday.

He added that Muir and his gang’s activities had led to an increase in homicides and shootings in the Bull Bay area, “so much so that Bull Bay was eventually placed on our ‘hot-spot’ list”.

Muir and the second man, who remains unidentified, were killed when they and three others reportedly engaged the police in a shoot-out in the community on Tuesday.

A report from the constabulary said that at about 4:20 pm, a team of police officers were on patrol in the Gypsum Road area when they came upon a group of armed men, who fired at them. The cops returned the fire and the men fled the area.

A search, however, turned up the bodies of Muir and the other man, who were suffering from gunshot wounds. A 9mm Taurus Millennium pistol, with the serial number PT111, and a Glock 19 pistol, with the serial number erased were taken from the men, who were later pronounced dead at hospital.

Family members, who identified Muir’s body yesterday, said he died the way he lived.

“As a human and as him father, I feel a bit sad. But otherwise I do not feel anything because it came as no surprise. A suh him choose to live,” said Lloyd Muir.

His father added that many attempts had been made to get Muir to surrender to the police, “but that bwoy was so stubborn. Not even him mother him would listen to”.

One of Muir’s sisters said he deserved the end he got.

“As far as I see, is like him deserve what him get. Right yah now, I do not feel anyway about him being dead. As long as it was the police that killed him,” she said.

Residents, meanwhile, sent congratulatory messages to the police on their handling of the situation.

“I personally want to commend the police on a good job this time. Is long time I was hoping that the law would catch up on him,” said one relieved resident, who asked not to be named.