KINGSTON, Jamaica — A member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) was shot dead and a policeman narrowly escaped injuries during an incident along Stephen Lane off Waltham Park Road in St Andrew on Tuesday night.

The dead soldier has been identified as 24-year-old Daniel Crawford from Bryan’s Land district in Spaulding, Clarendon.

Reports reaching Observer Online indicate that shortly before 9:00 pm, the soldier and the policeman were travelling in a motor vehicle when Crawford received a phone call.

After ending the call, he indicated he would make a drop-off to a female friend along Waltham Park Road. The men drove to Stephen Lane, where Crawford exited the vehicle, leaving the policeman inside.

After a few minutes, the cop became concerned that Crawford had not yet returned and began calling his phone. The calls went unanswered.

It is reported that a man knocked on the car window and told the policeman that his friend was calling him. The cop exited the vehicle and walked with the man to a premises along the roadway.

The man pointed to a nearby premises and told the policeman to go inside. However, the cop became suspicious and refused.

The man then reportedly grabbed the policeman and attempted to pull him into the premises, but the cop resisted and pulled away. It is alleged that the man then pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at the cop.

It is further alleged that the policeman pulled his Glock pistol and discharged four rounds in the man’s direction, after which the gunman staggered into the premises, and the cop ran off. While running, the cop reported that he heard multiple gunshots behind him.

He reportedly jumped a fence to escape injury and continued through several premises until he came to another roadway, where he observed a group of about five men who, upon seeing the policeman, allegedly opened fire.

The cop reportedly ran into another premises while being fired at and continued running until he reached Waltham Park Road. There, he spotted a marked police vehicle and related what happened. Other police units were notified, and a search of the area was conducted.

During the search, Crawford was found suffering from gunshot injuries to his upper body and head. He was immediately taken to the Kingston Public Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Police have since launched a manhunt for the lawmen’s attackers.

The JDF in a social media post on Wednesday said it is saddened by the passing of Private Daniel Crawford who died tragically on February 10, 2026.

The JDF offered condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Crawford during this time of bereavement.