A reputed gang leader was shot dead during an alleged confrontation with police in Craig Town, Kingston on Thursday.

The deceased has been identified as Rasheed Lyons, otherwise called “Guess”, the alleged leader of the Craig Town-based 110 Gang.

It is reported that about 6:15am, a Kingston Western police team armed with warrants was conducting raids in the Craig Town area when, after accessing one of the targeted premises, Lyons was observed inside talking on a mobile phone with one of his hands behind his back.

The police reportedly informed Lyons of their presence and instructed him to put his hands in the air. However, it is alleged that Lyons disobeyed the cops and instead put down the phone and kept the other hand behind his back.

Despite repeated appeals by the lawmen, Lyons reportedly brought his hidden arm around with a firearm and opened gunfire at the police. The cops reportedly returned fire, hitting Lyons and seizing the firearm that was in his possession. He was subsequently taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

It is reported that the scene was processed by personnel of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) and the Area Four Scenes of Crime Unit.

Commenting on the incident, head of the Area Four police, Assistant Commissioner Michael Phipps said: “This operation today is part of our efforts where we seek to arrest wanted persons, persons of interest and other high risk targets and seize their illegal weaponry… It resulted in the unfortunate death of gang leader Rasheed Lyons, otherwise called “Guess”, who is regarded as the head of the 110 criminal gang operating in the Craig Town area.”

Phipps said Lyons was recently charged with shooting with intent in relation to an incident in Portland and was out on bail.

The reputed gang leader was also being investigated for other serious crimes particularly in Kingston Western, Kingston Central and the St Andrew South divisions, said Phipps.

The ACP reiterated an earlier appeal to persons of interest to peacefully surrender to the police at all times.