KINGSTON, Jamaica — An alleged gang leader was shot and killed during an armed confrontation with police on North Street, Kingston, on Friday night, triggering protests by residents later that night and again Saturday morning.

Police identified the deceased as 26-year-old Amani Malcolm, also known as “Bling Dawg”. According to the police, Malcolm was shot after he allegedly grabbed a policeman’s service firearm, causing a tussle.

Reports indicate that about 10:40 pm, a police team conducting a mobile patrol saw a man with a bulge in the front of his waistband standing at the intersection of North Street and Pink Lane.

A policeman reportedly exited the service vehicle and approached the man, instructing him to raise his hands. The police said Malcolm then pulled a firearm from his waistband and pointed it at the cop, who responded by firing his service pistol.

According to the police account, the firearm fell from Malcolm, but he then grabbed hold of the lawman’s M16 rifle. A struggle followed, during which both men fell to the ground and Malcolm gained control of the rifle.

The cop, fearing for his life, again discharged his service pistol at Malcolm, managed to free himself and took cover as other cops came to his assistance.

Police said Malcolm remained on the ground with the M16 rifle and was pointing it indiscriminately when another lawman fired a single round from his service pistol. The rifle then fell from Malcolm’s grasp.

The rifle and the firearm Malcolm reportedly pulled from his waist were retrieved. The illegal gun was found to be a Glock 26 pistol with five 9mm rounds.

A bystander was also shot and injured during the incident. Police transported Malcolm to the Kingston Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Following the shooting, a large crowd of angry residents gathered at the scene and later at the hospital compound. Residents also set fire to an immobilised vehicle along the lower section of North Street in protest.

Another demonstration took place at about 8:45 am Saturday, during which residents lit another fire. Police said a man who refused to take part in the protest was assaulted and set on fire by an alleged gang member. He was reportedly admitted to hospital.

Malcolm, the police said, was the leader of the One A Way gang based in Denham Town, Kingston. Last March, he was slapped with firearm and ammunition charges in the St Mary Division.

Police reported that Malcolm, who was deported from Mexico in October 2024, was also charged with robbery with aggravation in January 2025, rape in October 2022 and shooting with intent and shopbreaking and larceny in 2019.