Police vow swift and decisive action following murder of soldier in Kingston last evening

A Jamaica defence soldier was shot and killed by gunmen along Stephen Lane in Kingston last evening.

Dead is 24-year-old Private Daniel Crawford of Bryan’s Land District, in Spalding Clarendon.

According to lawmen, at about 8:51 PM, Crawford and a police officer were travelling in a private motor car when after receiving a phone call, the soldier indicated that he would be making a drop off to a female friend along Waltham Park road.

It’s reported that Crawford Drove to Stephen Lane where he exited the vehicle leaving the police officer inside.

It’s reported that after a few minutes the cop became concerned that Crawford had not returned and began calling his phone, however, those calls went unanswered.

The officer was then summoned by a male who told him that Crawford was calling him.

The cop followed the male to a premises along Stephen Lane.

Further reports are that the man told the cop to enter a premises, but the officer became suspicious, and refused.

The man reportedly tried to pull the cop into the premises but the officer resisted.

Lawmen say the man then pointed a firearm at the officer.

In response, the cop opened fire in the direction of the man, while fleeing the scene.

The constable then saw a group of men who opened gunfire at him.

The officer reportedly ran to Waltham Park main road, where he was assisted by police in a marked unit.

Other police were summoned and the area was searched during which Crawford was observed lying along a roadway with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head.

He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.