HOURS before the funeral of slain police Corporal Rodney Henry, the prime suspect in his murder was cut down in an alleged shoot-out with cops Saturday morning.

The dead man has been identified as 18-year-old Karan Jeilan, otherwise called 'Fifteen' and 'Dugu'.

Reports are that a team from the St Catherine South police carried out an operation in the 'Rat Town' area of Portmore Gardens at 3 a.m. Saturday when they were fired on by men.

The police allegedly engaged the men and Jeilan was hit. He was taken to the Spanish Town Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A 40-calibre pistol was reportedly taken from Jeilan who, police sources said, was a member of the Rat Town gang operating in the St Catherine South Division.

Killed at home

Henry was a firearm instructor at the Police Academy at Twickenham Park, St Catherine.

He was killed on August 2 at his gate in Cumberland Meadows, which is also located off Portmore Lane. His service pistol was stolen.

Henry was buried Saturday in Thompson Town, Clarendon.

Police sources said the search for Henry's killers started the night after his murder, resulting in two other men being detained, awaiting charges.

Henry was one of two police personnel killed within hours on August 2 and August 3. The other was Inspector Dennis Gardner.