J’can charged with attempted murder of cops in Florida gun battle

A St James man remains in police custody in the United States, this after he and another man allegedly engaged law enforcement personnel in a shootout in Lauderhill, Florida last month.

Reece Anglin, a 32-year-old native of Montego Bay, St James, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

He was arrested by Tampa police on Valentine's Day, and is being held at the Broward Main Jail.

An immigration hold has also been placed on him.

According to media reports, the Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) said the incident occurred on February 12 at Calypso Cay apartments, where members of the BSO's Gang Investigations Task Force were conducting an operation.

Anglin and another suspect, 28-year-old Tafari Elliot, allegedly confronted two officers - a deputy and a Lauderhill police officer - and opened gunfire after being ordered to drop their weapons.

The officers returned the fire, hitting Elliot, who fled the scene, but was later captured and taken to a medical centre for treatment.

Elliot is also facing two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

The BSO said none of their officers were injured in the exchange, and indicated that multiple firearms were recovered at the scene.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the cops’ use of force, while the BSO's Criminal Investigations Division is handling the cases against Anglin and Elliot.

The BSO has placed the deputy who discharged his weapon on administrative assignment, in keeping accordance office’s policies.

The immigration status of the Jamaican national at the time of the incident was not confirmed by the BSO.