KINGSTON, Jamaica — An alleged member of the Speculation Gang who the police have linked to two murders and a series of major robberies and break-ins across Jamaica was among three persons fatally shot during an operation in St Andrew early Sunday.

Dead is Dewar Archibald, otherwise called “Max”, described by police as a high-risk criminal target.

Reports are that a team from Specialised Operations was on patrol in the Red Hills area around 1:45 am when they received information that a group of armed men travelling in a red Honda HR-V and a white Toyota Probox were allegedly preparing to carry out criminal activities in the St Andrew North Police Division.

According to the preliminary police account, officers attempted to intercept the vehicles, but the drivers failed to stop. The driver of the Probox managed to elude the police.

The police report that they intercepted the Honda HR-V in the vicinity of Knightsdale Drive where occupants of the vehicle reportedly opened fire at members of the police team, who then discharged their service weapons.

Three persons were subsequently found suffering from gunshot wounds. The identities of the other two persons have not yet been released.

The Independent Commission of Investigations has been notified.

Archibald had been identified by investigators as one of the main organisers of robberies and break-ins targeting automated teller machines (ATMs), remittance agencies and other cash-intensive businesses. He was also implicated in two murders committed within the past nine months.

Archibald was linked to the murder of Chevardo Messam at Galleon Beach in Crawford district, St Elizabeth, on December 21, 2025.

He was also implicated in the January 9 murder of Kemar Brown, otherwise called “Mars”, in Bristol, Alexandria, St Ann. A woman was shot and injured during that incident.

READ: Man killed, woman injured at shop in St Ann

Archibald had also been linked to a shooting during an attempted theft of an ATM in Drax Hall, St Ann, in April. Investigators had further implicated him in a series of robberies and break-ins in Linstead, St Catherine, in February and June; Kingston in April; and Crofts Hill, Clarendon, in May.

Investigators believe Archibald was part of an organised criminal network operating across several parishes.

Investigations are continuing.