Two hundred and fifteen people were killed by members of the security forces between January 1 and September 13.

That’s according to the latest update from the Independent Commission of Investigations, INDECOM.

The latest incident occurred on Sunday in Red Hills, St. Andrew.

Known violence producer, Dewar Archibald, otherwise called ‘Max’, was among three people cut down in a confrontation with police in the community. 

Abigail Bartley reports.

Dewar Archibald was considered a high-risk criminal target linked to two murders and a series of robberies and break-ins across the island.

It’s reported that a team from Specialised Operations was on patrol on Red Hills Road when they were alerted that a group of armed men was travelling in two vehicles. The men were allegedly preparing to carry out criminal activity in the St. Andrew North Police Division.

The vehicles were identified as a red Honda HR-V and a white Toyota Probox.

According to preliminary information, the police attempted to intercept the vehicles, but the drivers failed to stop. The Probox escaped.

Police subsequently intercepted the Honda HR-V in the vicinity of Knightsdale Drive. The vehicle’s occupants reportedly opened fire at members of the police team, who returned fire.

When the shooting subsided, Archibald and two others were found suffering from gunshot wounds. The three, including a woman, were pronounced dead at hospital. 

Two illegal firearms and ammunition were seized.

The other deceased has been identified as Davion Byfield of Frazers Content in Spanish Town, St. Catherine. The woman has yet to be identified.

The incident has been reported to the Independent Commission of Investigations, INDECOM.

Sunday’s incident in Red Hills brings the number of police fatal shootings recorded so far in September to 17.

Meanwhile, the police have provided further details about Archibald’s alleged criminal activities across the island.

They report that Archibald was a member of the Speculation gang and was one of the main perpetrators of robberies and break-ins targeting automated teller machines, ATM, remittance agencies and other cash-intensive businesses.

He was also implicated in two murders committed within the past nine months.

The first was the December 2025 murder of Chevardo Messam at Galleon Beach in St. Elizabeth, and then the January 9, 2026 murder of Kemar Brown, in Bristol, Alexandria in St. Ann. A woman was also shot and injured during that incident.

Archibald had also been linked to a shooting during an attempted theft of an ATM in Drax Hall, St. Ann, in April.

Investigations had further implicated him in a series of robberies and break-ins in Linstead, St Catherine, in February and June; Kingston in April; and Crofts Hill, Clarendon, in May.