Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force shot and killed three men on Monday during what police described as an alleged confrontation in the St Toolies area, near the Manchester–Clarendon border.
Preliminary reports indicate that police were conducting an intelligence-driven operation in the area during the afternoon while searching for wanted individuals. Around 12:20 p.m., multiple officers reportedly went to a residence linked to the suspects. A confrontation later developed between the police and the three men.
Following the incident, footage released by a local news team showed two visibly upset residents at the scene. In the video, two women are seen openly expressing anger toward the security forces.
One woman was observed rolling on the ground while shouting accusations at the police, claiming they acted without mercy and showed no concern for innocent lives. She further alleged that firearms were planted at scenes to justify fatal shootings during police operations. Officers present at the scene did not respond to the claims.
After gunfire subsided, the three men were found suffering from gunshot wounds. They were later pronounced dead. Police subsequently reported that two firearms were recovered from the scene. Further details surrounding the circumstances of the shooting remain unclear.
The fatal incident comes just days after Jamaica closed out 2025 with at least 311 people reported killed in alleged confrontations involving members of the security forces—a figure that exceeds the number recorded in 2024.
The rising number of police-related shootings has sparked growing public concern. At the start of 2026, the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) announced plans to strengthen its resources and oversight mechanisms in response to the increase in fatal encounters during 2025.
INDECOM Commissioner Hugh Faulkner has expressed ongoing concern about the growing frequency of deadly shootings, particularly those occurring during planned law-enforcement operations.
The St Toolies incident follows several other fatal encounters reported at the start of the new year. On January 1, police reported deadly shootings in Granville, St James, and Bethel Town, Westmoreland. In Granville, three people were reported killed, including a four-year-old child, while another three individuals were reported dead in Bethel Town.
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