Suspect in Cherry Tree Lane murders fatally shot by police
CLARENDON, Jamaica— A man suspected of being a shooter in Sunday’s Cherry Tree Lane massacre was fatally shot by police Wednesday afternoon during an operation carried out in Osbourne Store, Clarendon.
The dead man has been identified as Steve Smith, otherwise called ‘Thicka’ or ‘Fly Brain’.
Reports are that members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Fugitive Apprehension Team and the Clarendon Operational Support team, went to a location in Osbourne Store in search of Smith and other men who were suspected of being involved in the Cherry Tree Lane murders.
It is further reported that during the operation there was a confrontation and Smith was shot and injured. He was taken to the May Pen Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
READ: Man killed by police in alleged shootout in Clarendon
The matter has been reported to the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) who have begun an investigation.
Police said Smith was suspected of being involved in numerous contract killings and other illicit activities in Clarendon and other parishes.
He was a prime a suspect in relation to Sunday’s shooting which left eight people dead and nine others injured. Amongst the casualties was a seven-year-old boy, while a baby of one year and eight months was injured.
READ: 7-y-o among eight dead in Clarendon killing spree
“He was wanted by the May Pen Police for murder for some time and was a person of interest in several other murder investigations,” the police said.
Wednesday’s operation, according to the authorities, was part of a recently launched joint security operation, led by the JCF in collaboration with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), with a mission to identify, apprehend and bring the perpetrators to justice, and to restore normalcy to the affected communities.
The police are reminding suspects to surrender peacefully when they are being apprehended and not to challenge members of the security forces.
They are also encouraging residents with information to come forward or they can share tips anonymously through Crime Stop at 311, the JDF tip line at 876-837-8888 or MOCA’s anonymous tip line at (888) MOCA-TIP.
