The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) and the Police High Command have launched investigations into the fatal shooting of three persons, including a woman, during a police operation in the St Andrew North Division this morning.
In a media release, the Police High Command said Dewar Archibald (“Max”) – high-risk criminal target, linked to two murders, and a series of major robberies and break-ins across Jamaica – was among the three killed.
The second identified deceased is 39 year old Damion Byfield of Frasers Content in St Catherine.
The woman remains unidentified.
The High Command said the three were gunned down during an encounter with members of the Specialized Operations Branch of the Constabulary Force along Red Hills Road, about 1:45 a.m.
Two firearms and ammunition were reportedly seized during the operation.
It’s reported that a team from Specialized Operations was on patrol in the Red Hills area when they received information that a group of armed men was travelling in two vehicles, allegedly preparing to carry out criminal activity in the St Andrew North Police Division. The vehicles were identified as a red Honda HR-V and a white Toyota Probox.
According to the preliminary police account, officers attempted to intercept the vehicles, but the drivers failed to stop and the Toyota Probox eluded the police.
The police said they subsequently intercepted the Honda HR-V in the vicinity of Knightsdale Drive.
Occupants of the vehicle reportedly opened fire at members of the police team, who then discharged their service weapons. Three persons were subsequently found with gunshot wounds and two prohibited firearms and ammunition were reportedly recovered.
The police say Archibald was a member of the Speculation Gang and had been identified by investigators as one of the main organizers of robberies and break-ins, targeting automated teller machines (ATMs), remittance agencies and other cash-intensive businesses. He had also been implicated in two murders committed within the last nine months.
The cops added that Archibald had been 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 wounded during that incident.
Archibald was linked as well to a shooting during an attempted theft of an ATM in Drax Hall, St Ann, in April.
Investigations 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.