Hit job foiled

MANDEVILLE, Manchester — A man who police say was on his way to commit a contract murder was fatally shot after being intercepted and engaging cops in a firefight in Knockpatrick, Manchester, on Monday. Up to press time police had not released the identity of the man, who was travelling with a lap dog. The pet was not harmed in the shoot-out. Head of the Manchester police, Deputy Superintendent Odean Dennis, said about 12:10 pm cops were acting on information of a “threat to life” when they intercepted a Toyota Voxy motor vehicle. “… Police received information that someone was about to be killed. They went in search of a black Toyota Voxy motor vehicle with DC plates affixed. They came upon a vehicle fitting the description and signalled it to stop. The occupant opened fire at the police, who defended themselves,” Dennis told the Jamaica Observer .

Police at the scene in Knockpatrick, Manchester, where a man was fatally shot Monday afternoon during an alleged firefight. (Photo: Kasey Williams) He said an Armscor . 38 special revolver along with rounds of ammunition was found inside the vehicle. “A police service vehicle was also damaged by bullets. The man was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead,” Superintendent Dennis said. He also told the Observer that the dead man was a person of interest in the February 1 double murder of Raheem Ward, otherwise called Richie Rich, and Adrian Reid in Old England, Manchester. “I want to take this opportunity to highlight that it is increasingly coming to our knowledge that the issue of contract killing is real in this parish, but I want to assure the public that the Manchester police are prepared to deal decisively with this issue,” Dennis said. DENNIS… we want to encourage the public to keep sharing information, as this…