ONE of St Catherine’s most wanted men, who police said previously faked his death and organised his wake to throw police off his trail, was cut down along with his cousin by a joint police-military team who went in search of them in Linstead Saturday morning. Two police constables were also injured in the incident.

Police said the wanted man, Peter Davis, also known as Devil(s) or Devilman, was said to be responsible for multiple murders in the Linstead and Bog Walk areas of St Catherine.

“Devil was named on the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Wanted Wednesdays [programme] earlier this year. Instead of turning himself in, he faked his death and organised a wake to have others mourn his passing,” the police said in a statement. “This included asking persons to wear buttons with his photo and the words RIP engraved on them. Police superior intelligence led to the discovery of his hideout location and the subsequent operation that was aimed at capturing him.”

The police reported that on the morning of July 20 a joint police-military operation, led by a team from JCF Specialised Operations, was deployed to West Prospect in Linstead. Their mission was to locate and apprehend the men, who were believed to be hiding in the vicinity of Cashew Walk.

The police said during the course of the operation criminals fired shots at the team. During the exchange the two men were shot and killed.

“When the shooting subsided the police recovered two Taurus 9mm pistols, a firearms accessory, and a quantity of ammunition from the deceased,” the police said.

The police explained that the mission was to apprehend Davis and his cousin Tavani Benjamin, 27, alias Benji, who was a person of interest in relation to a murder.

“They were involved in the recent killing of David Archer, alias Didi Frass, a section leader of the One Order Gang, on July 14, 2024,” the police said.

“The trio, once friends and gang members, experienced a falling out, leading to Archer’s murder. Davis and Benjamin have been implicated in at least three other murders.”

The police said the injured officers were immediately taken to the hospital, where one was admitted in stable but serious condition while the other was treated and released.

“The High Command extends heartfelt wishes for a swift and complete recovery to the two constables. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families during this challenging time. Their remarkable courage and dedication while protecting and serving the citizens of Jamaica have not gone unnoticed. Their actions, alongside those of their fellow officers, reflect the highest standards of the JCF.”

Both Independent Commission of Investigations and Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau were notified of the incident.