MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Police in Manchester are reporting that during two targeted raids on Tuesday, two firearms were seized and an alleged criminal suspect killed.

In the first incident in Kingsland, just west of Mandeville, Orlando Clive Waite, 26, otherwise called ‘Garth’ was fatally shot when he allegedly confronted the police about 2:30 am.

The police reported that a firearm was seized from him.

Subsequently, during another raid in Old England, south of Mandeville, the police found a firearm in that community.

Head of the Manchester police Deputy Superintendent Carey Duncan said the operations are part of a series of raids.

In the Kingsland operation, he explained that the police have been following up on intelligence.

“We got information that criminal suspects were hiding out. On breaching the premises a man who was inside the house pointed a firearm at the police. The police, responding by firing, at the man, he was hit…. One .38 revolver was recovered, it was loaded with two live .38 cartridges,” Duncan said.

“We went over in Old England and a premises was also searched and a Glock pistol was recovered,” he continued.

Duncan highlighted the continued reduction in major crimes in Manchester.

“Since the start of the year, we have seen a downward trend in our numbers. We are now seeing a 60 per cent reduction in murders and a 33 per cent reduction in all major crimes. This didn’t happen by chance, it is based on deliberate and strategic operations… This year we intend to make Manchester a safer parish,” he said.

— Kasey Williams