A man known only as 'Virus' and his accomplice 'Beenie Man' were shot and killed near Sunny Side, St. Catherine, yesterday after they allegedly engaged members of a police party in a shootout. A firearm was seized in the incident.

Reports are that at about 4:00 p.m. police personnel received information that several men were travelling in a stolen Mitsubishi car that was heading towards Guys Hill. The vehicle was intercepted and the police signalled them to stop. They reportedly sped off and started firing at the lawmen who pursued them.

"These men engaged the police in a serious gun battle and the police returned the fire. Both men were hit. Following a search the police found a 45-pistol and are doing further investigations," an officer said.

He told THE STAR that the men were wanted for acts of shooting around the Linstead police area. Yesterday's shooting follows that of Harvey Harrison, 44, and 32-year-old Ryan Welsh, near Troja in the parish on Tuesday. Two illegal guns were seized in that incident.

The Bureau of Special Investigation has been called in to conduct a probe in both matters.

- R.T.