Policemen arriving in west Kingston.

Residents of Denham Town and Hannah Town in west, Kingston are claiming that two of three men who were shot dead during a reported shoot-out with the police were killed in cold *lo**.

Up to press time yesterday, the three men were unidentified.

Three policemen were also shot and injured during the alleged gun-battle. One officer was shot in the neck, one in the hand and one in the leg and back. The three injured lawmen were taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where they were admitted in stable condition.

But despite police reports of the gun battle with thugs, the residents are adamant that there was no shoot-out.

"A pure lie dem a tell, di man dem nuh fire no shot afta dem. Dem go inna one house weh di yute dem deh and kill dem jus like that," one resident of Hannah Town who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

The communities erupted into chaos yesterday afternoon after gunmen and police traded bullets just behind the walls of the Kingston Public Hospital. The scene was one resembling a battlefield with soldiers, helicopter and constant gunfire.

A soldier slides from an armoured vehicle as he gets ready for action in West Kingston yesterday. - Norman Grindley photos

That stand-off was said to be sparked by the killing of the three men.

Reports are that a police team went on an operation in search of two known gunmen. The team reportedly went to Regent Street, the border of Denham Town and Hannah Town and came under heavy gunfire. The fire was returned and the two men were fatally shot.

A 9mm Glock pistol and a ballistic vest were also reportedly taken from one of the men.

Residents told THE STAR that they are fed-up with the issue of violence in the communities.

'' Mi haffi duck under a table when gunshot start fi fire,wi tiad fi hear dem still, '' A resident told THE STAR.

Meanwhile a heavy detachment of police and military personnel will continue to patrol the areas.

Several persons try to glimpse on the body of one of the men said to have been killed in the shoot-out with the police.