Man killed, two cops injured in shootout at St Mary illegal party

A man was killed, and two policemen were injured following a shootout as members of the St Mary police attempted to shut down an unauthorised party in the community of Iterboreale on Friday.

The deceased has been identified as 28-year-old Kevin Cunningham, otherwise called 'Chemical,' a labourer of Crab Hall, Annotto Bay, in the parish.

An illegal gun was allegedly recovered from him.

Head of the police division, Acting Superintendent Anthony Wallace, said the Operational Support Team came under attack while shutting down the event at around 9:30 p.m.

"During the incident, a patron brandished a firearm at the police. In response, an officer discharged his service weapon, injuring the suspect," said Wallace.

Cunningham was transported to the Annotto Bay Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

A Beretta .40 caliber pistol with a partially erased serial number and a magazine containing five live rounds was allegedly recovered from the suspect.

The Independent Commission of Investigations and the Port Maria Criminal Investigations Branch are conducting further inquiries, Wallace said.

A 48-hour curfew has been imposed in sections of the Iterboreale area. It started at 6 p.m. on Saturday and will expire at 6 p.m. on Monday.

-Gareth Davis Snr

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