MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Police have identified the two men who were killed following an alleged confrontation during a high speed chase and shootout in Kingsland Meadows close to Spur Tree in Manchester on Tuesday afternoon.

They are Dwayne Baker and Cameron Witter. Witter is said to be from Knockpatrick in the parish, while Baker is said to be from Kingsland.

READ: 3 gunmen shot, 2 fatally, after goat theft, high speed chase

They are among four men accused of stealing six goats in Maggotty, St Elizabeth on Tuesday.

A senior police source told OBSERVER ONLINE that the men are suspected to have been involved in multiple cases of praedial larceny in Manchester and St Elizabeth.

READ: Stolen goats recovered, four arrested in Manchester

The police source said the men were spotted about 3:00 pm on Tuesday in Lacovia, St Elizabeth. The Manchester police were alerted and given a description of a black Toyota Vitz motorcar being used to transport the stolen goats from Maggotty.

The police, in response, mounted a roadblock on the Spur Tree Hill main road.

The source said the vehicle was spotted and the driver was signalled to stop by the police. However, the driver reportedly sped off while an occupant of the vehicle opened fire on the police.

A high speed chase and shootout ensued.

The driver turned into Kingsland Meadows where the vehicle was cornered by the police on Queensway Close.

Three of the men were shot while another escaped in bushes.

The three injured men were taken to hospital where Witter and Baker were pronounced dead. The third man was admitted for treatment under police guard.

The source said during a search of the vehicle a firearm was seized and the stolen goats found.

A joint police/military team was deployed to search the area for the suspect who escaped.

— Kasey Williams