Three Suspects Allegedly Involved in Hart Street Drive-By Killed in Montego Bay Shoot-Out

Montego Bay, St James – A police operation in the usually quiet, gated community of West Village in Montego Bay ended in a deadly shoot-out on Monday afternoon, with three men—suspected to be involved in last Friday’s fatal Hart Street drive-by shooting—fatally shot by law enforcement officers.

According to police reports, officers were conducting an intelligence-led operation in the community sometime after 3:00 p.m. when they came under heavy gunfire from a group of men inside a house. The police returned fire, and at the end of the confrontation, three men were found suffering from gunshot wounds. They were taken to hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Two illegal firearms were recovered from the scene.

“These men are said to be linked to that multiple shooting at Hart Street, Montego Bay, on Friday,” confirmed Senior Superintendent Carlos Russell, acting commander of the St James Police Division. That incident left two men dead and five others nursing gunshot wounds after gunmen sprayed a group with bullets from a moving vehicle.

The drive-by occurred on April 4, when men travelling in a silver Toyota Axio riddled a group of individuals with bullets on Hart Street. One of the victims, Exodus Dunkley of Flagstaff, was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. The second deceased, 27-year-old Malik McDonald of a Hart Street address, succumbed to his injuries the following morning.

Monday’s shoot-out in West Village has left residents rattled. The gated community, which requires visitor registration and ID checks at the entrance, is known for housing professionals and short-term rental occupants. Many residents expressed shock and concern about the infiltration of criminal elements.

“We bought into this community because it promised safety and peace of mind,” said one resident who requested anonymity. “Hearing gunshots echo through the streets where our children live—it’s terrifying.”

Another resident, who rents in the area, added, “This makes me question who’s really living next door.”

The police have previously warned that some gang members and criminal suspects have been using gated communities across Jamaica as hideouts, taking advantage of the perceived security to evade capture.

While the names of the deceased men have not yet been released, police confirmed they were known to investigators and were under surveillance in connection to the Hart Street killings.

As investigations continue, the St James police are appealing to the public for any information that could assist with identifying remaining suspects involved in the April 4 attack.

“This operation was part of our broader strategy to disrupt and dismantle violent criminal networks operating in St James,” SSP Russell said. “We remain committed to reducing gun violence and bringing justice to the victims and their families.”

The killings come at a time when St James police are working to keep the parish’s murder rate below 100 for 2025—a difficult target in light of recent flare-ups in gun violence.