KINGSTON, Jamaica – A man was shot dead and a firearm seized following an altercation with members of the Jamaica Defence Force in a community known as Golden Heights in Denham Town, west Kingston on Thursday night.

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has launched a probe into the matter.
The deceased has been identified as 28-year-old Romaine King, from the said community.

Reports are that around 9:15 pm, members of a military team were on patrol in Golden Heights, when they observed two men along a pathway.

The soldiers reportedly exited their vehicle and approached the men tactically. The men ran upon seeing the soldiers who gave chase and called out to them to stop.

King, the police said, turned and pointed a firearm at the soldiers who in fear of losing their lives opened gunfire at the now deceased who fell to the ground clutching the weapon.

The firearm was retrieved shortly afterwards by police personnel who were quick on the scene and later found to be a 9mm Browning pistol with seven live 9mm rounds.

King, who was suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper body, was rushed by police to the Kingston Public Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

None of the lawmen were injured during the incident, the police said.