THE police in east Kingston have put a dent in a suspected robbery ring in the area after officers on patrol shot and killed three men on Windward Road early on Sunday morning.

All three — two of whom were teenagers — were from east Kingston addresses.

A police corporal was reportedly shot in the leg during a shoot-out with the men, while two firearms, including a Sig Sauer and a Ruger 9mm pistol with several rounds of ammunition, were seized following the encounter.

A 48-hour curfew was in effect in the area at the time of the shooting. The curfew began at 6:00 pm Friday and ended 6:00 pm Sunday.

Superintendent of Police Tomilee Chambers, who heads the Kingston East Police Division, told the Jamaica Observer on Sunday that the men were specifically from the Rockfort and Rollington Town areas within her division.

The young men have been identified as 17-year-old labourer Oshane Stubbs, otherwise known as Moon Head; 20-year-old delivery man Kayshawn Smith, otherwise known as Bimmax; and 19-year-old car wash attendant Abando Campbell.

“My team was travelling on Windward Road when men aroused their suspicion and the police team stopped, and alighted from their unit, and gave verbal instructions to the men. After doing that, the men pulled their firearms and opened gunfire at the police team,” Chambers recounted.

“The police took evasive action and returned fire. After the gunfire subsided all three men were observed with gunshot wounds. Two firearms were seen beside them.”

Chambers said, based on feedback, the men have been terrorising residents and wreaking havoc for a period of time in the Jackson Road, Rollington Town, and Windward Road space.

“I can’t say if they were affiliated with any gang in particular; they were not on our wanted list. However, a series of events have been taking place on the Windward Road strip for a period of time; people have been reporting that they have been robbed coming from the automated teller machine [ATM]. Based on intelligence we have been picking up, they might be persons who would watch people who use the machine,” Chambers said.

Police statistics show that robberies have increased in the division by 19.2 per cent this year, compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

From January 1 to November 9 a total of 31 robberies were recorded in the division, compared to 26 robberies from January to November 2023.