MONTEGO BAY, St James — A senior police officer in St James says residents of Barrett Town and Spring Mount are breathing a sigh of relief after lawmen cut down a wanted man who once terrorised both communities.

“The citizens have been dying to see the back of Mutumbo. He terrorised the communities of Barrett Town and Spring Mount and the residents are now relieved to see the end of this tyrant,” superintendent of police in charge of operations in St James, Eron Samuels told the Jamaica Observer.

He was referring to Spring Mount resident Oshayne “Mutumbo” Earle who was killed in Goshen, St Elizabeth, on Wednesday evening during what police have said was an armed confrontation with members of the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime (CTOC) division of the police force.

Earle was wanted for at least seven murders, including a double killing in Barrett Town in September and the shooting death of a farmer in Spring Mount earlier this year.

Reports are that a 14-year-old girl was rescued, unhurt, and an illegal firearm seized during the operation in which Earle was fatally shot. Samuels credited a recent push by the police force for Earle’s demise.

“Our relentless efforts under Operation Relentless 2 at the target led to this and so we are happy with this success,” he said.

He has also put other criminals on notice that lawmen will be coming for them. He referenced Anthony “Tunny” Angus who is wanted in connection with last month’s shooting death of two men in York Bush, St James

“We are going for all other wanted individuals, we won’t be letting up,” Samuels warned.