Two people reportedly connected to the weekend murders of a policeman’s family were killed during alleged police confrontations early Monday morning. Among the suspects is a gang leader known as “Likkle Zullu”, legally named Andre Reid. Reid is reported to be the head of a criminal organisation called the Top Junglis/Katan Defence Force (KDF) Gang, which operates in Catherine Mountain, St James.
Police have also identified Reid as the alleged mastermind behind Saturday night’s ambush along a section of Reading’s main road that left a police officer critically injured and claimed the lives of his spouse and young son.
According to police reports, the first incident unfolded around 5 a.m. in Shooters Hill, St Andrew. A team was dispatched on an intelligence-driven operation that led to the discovery of Reid. Officers say Reid opened fire on them, prompting a shootout.
Reid was shot during the exchange and succumbed to his injuries at the Kingston Public Hospital. Reports say one gun, an AK-47 rifle equipped with a magazine containing five rounds, was reportedly recovered from the scene.
In a separate but coordinated operation in St James, another suspect linked to the same attack was killed. Police have not yet identified this individual, but a report from Nationwide News says that officials believe he is the second mastermind behind the killings.
According to the Jamaica Observer, a law enforcement source described the morning’s actions as “coordinated town and country operations”, signalling that multiple teams were involved in the simultaneous efforts to track down suspects.
The deadly confrontation comes just two days after what police describe as a targeted attack on a constable assigned to the Lottery Scam Task Force. On Saturday night, the officer, his partner, 36-year-old Latoya Stephenson, and their five-year-old son, Zamir Morgan, were travelling along Reading’s main road when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle.
Stephenson was pronounced dead that night, while Zamir, who was struck in the head, was rushed into surgery. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries the following evening. The officer, who was hit in the back, remains in critical condition in the hospital.
Police say their investigations are ongoing as they continue the search for other individuals believed to be connected to the attack.