Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine:

One of three men who attempted to rob an off-duty policeman was shot and killed while another has been hospitalised and a third is on the run.

The Gleaner learnt that about 9 p.m. on Saturday, the policeman was walking with a woman along Dawkins Drive in Portmore when three men, one armed with a gun and the others knives, pounced on them. One of the men reportedly grabbed the woman, who is in an advanced stage of pregnancy, and used a knife to slash the cop.

The policeman then pulled his service pistol and shot two of the men. The third assailant escaped.

Under police guard

When the lawman turned up at the Spanish Town Hospital to be treated for his injuries, one of the alleged gunmen also turned up. He was subsequently placed under police guard.

When The Gleaner visited the Dawkins Drive area, several residents voiced security concerns because of an absence of street lights and an overgrowth of vegetation, which provide cover for criminals, they say.

"A plenty time dem rob people out here because you can hardly see anybody at nights because the place is dark," remarked a bystander.