HANOVER, Jamaica — A man who was wounded after allegedly engaging lawmen in a shoot-out Tuesday night in the town of Lucea, Hanover, has been hospitalised under police guard.

His name is being withheld as the police continue their investigations into several crimes they suspect he committed in Hanover.

A policeman was also injured during Tuesday night’s incident; his condition is not considered serious. A Browning 9mm pistol and one round of ammunition were seized during the confrontation, the police said.

Reports from the Hanover police are that at 7:10 Tuesday evening, a police team was on patrol in the town when the man was seen driving a motorcycle with a pillion.

The driver reportedly began behaving suspiciously after seeing the police. Lawmen attempted to apprehend the man, who produced a weapon. According to the police report, he was told to drop the firearm but refused to comply and instead fired at the police.

The police reportedly returned fire and the suspect was hit in his lower body.

The police say his passenger escaped on foot.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).

The incident comes in the aftermath of National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang’s comment that the police should be trained not to miss when they come under attack by armed gunmen.