KINGSTON, Jamaica – A passenger was shot during an alleged confrontationon with police at a checkpoint at the intersection of Maxfield and Balmoral Avenue on Wednesday night.

According to the head of the Public Safety and Enforcement and Traffic Branch, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gary McKenzie, about 9:15 pm on Wednesday, members of the Branch, acting on information, conducted a vehicle checkpoint at the intersection of Maxfield and Balmoral Avenue

Reports are that the police saw a Probox taxi motorcar approaching and signalled the vehicle to stop.

While they were conducting investigations, the passenger in the vehicle allegedly brandished a firearm and opened fire at the officers.

An officer returned fire and the passenger was shot. A firearm was reportedly retrieved.

“What I’ve noted in the past is that persons have sought to take public passenger vehicles in a bid to transport firearms and other contraband. And as such, we are on to it that we carry out our enforcement responsibilities to keep Jamaica safe,” said ACP McKenzie.