On Sunday afternoon, four men attempted to rob a supermarket in Spalding, but things took such a drastic turn that they ended up on a TikTok live stream, pleading for their lives. According to reports, the men were allegedly part of a group of robbers that targeted Dragon Home Wholesale and Supermarket shortly before 2:00 p.m.
The reports detailed that the robbers were confronted by a policeman, who was at the location. The officer and the robbers exchanged gunfire, leading to the policeman receiving a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Another policeman was also injured during the shootout.
Apparently feeling trapped by multiple officers, the suspects barricaded themselves into the storeroom of the supermarket, and a reported hostage situation also ensued. According to the Jamaica Gleaner, one of the perpetrators started streaming live on TikTok during negotiations with the officers.
The live stream captured the men seemingly seated on the floor with at least two of them bleeding from injuries they sustained apparently during the standoff. One of the men had what seemed to be a cloth tied around his arm while blood came from his shoulder.
One of the men expressed that he wanted to surrender and indicated that they went to such lengths merely because they wanted a better life. “We never plan fi do nothing…A college me a go enuh,” he said. Another one said that he never imagined he would be in such a situation.
One stated, “Officer, we unarmed …Officer we want surrender … Squaddy, unuh win, mon.”
As the livestream continued, one said, “We surrender. Do! Nuh mek dem kill we.”
Meanwhile, the police were just outside the storeroom, banging on the door to get inside. When they eventually gained entrance, the police retrieved an AK-47 assault rifle and three other illegal firearms. The four men were taken into custody, and the two injured officers were transported to the local hospital.
Watch the videos of the incident below:
