ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica – One man was fatally shot and a firearm seized during an early morning raid in St Elizabeth Wednesday morning.

Reports are that between 5:00 am and 5:45 am, a team comprising members from the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (CTOC) and the St Elizabeth Police Division conducted an operation in the Burnt Savannah community of Lacovia, targeting criminal suspects from Kingston, who were believed to have been hiding out in the parish.

Observer Online understands that during the operation, while breaching the main target premises, a man reportedly pointed a firearm at the breach team and the officers. A member of the team took defensive action and discharged his firearm, striking the suspect in the upper body.

The suspect reportedly dropped a Smith and Wesson .40 pistol, loaded with a magazine containing eight .40 calibre cartridges.

The gunman was transported to the Black River Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

He is yet to be formally identified.

In accordance with protocol, the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) was notified.

No members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force were injured during the operation.