Two of three men who reportedly challenged police in a gunbattle at Thompson Avenue, Buff Bay, Portland, yesterday, were fatally shot.

They are Abraham Campbell, 27, and Craig Clarke, 21, both of Smith Avenue, Buff Bay. An illegal firearm was seized in the incident.

Police say about 2 a.m., lawmen on an operation on Thompson Avenue signalled the driver of a Honda Fit motor car to stop. The occupants, however, opened gunfire at the lawmen. The fire was returned and the vehicle crashed into a utility pole.

One of the men alighted from the vehicle and escaped. The car was searched and Campbell and Clarke were found suffering from gunshot wounds. A 9mm pistol with four cartridges was also found. The injured men were taken to the Annotto Bay Hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Investigators reported that Campbell was out on bail for shop breaking and larceny, and was reporting to the police on condition of his bail. He was to return to the Buff Bay Resident Magistrate Court on April 3.