ST JAMES, Jamaica – A pastor and a deacon were on Saturday shot dead by unknown assailants in Kerr Crescent, St James.
Dead are 27-year-old pastor Ryan Jackson and 23-year-old deacon Bucklair Smith, both of Rose Heights in the parish.
The police say a firearm was also seized.
Reports from the Montego Bay police are that about 5:40 pm, police were on an operation in the area when they heard several explosions and went to investigate.
The police say two men opened gunfire at them when they got to the location.
The police reportedly took evasive action and returned the gunfire, hitting one of the assailants, who was later found with a 9mm pistol containing six rounds of ammunition. His accomplice managed to escape, the police say.
Jackson and Smith were found with gunshot wounds and were assisted to hospital where they were pronounced dead.
Meanwhile, the injured gunman has been hospitalised under police guard.
The police say investigations are continuing.