Two men killed in Spanish Town police shootout after Dinary Road attendant shooting

Two men sought over gas-station robberies and a Wednesday afternoon shooting of a pump attendant on Dinary Road were killed during a police operation on St. John's Road in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, that night.

Senior Superintendent Hopton Nicholson, commanding officer of the St. Catherine North Police Division, said the deceased had been involved in robberies in the area but could not yet confirm they were the suspects in the attendant shooting. Around 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, officers acting on intelligence reportedly identified themselves to a group of men who allegedly opened fire. Police returned fire. Two men were found with gunshot wounds and a firearm was recovered.

CCTV from about 1:36 p.m. showed a grey Toyota ProBox at a Dinary Road service station. After a brief exchange with the attendant, three men left the vehicle with what appeared to be firearms, appeared to shoot him, then fled.

A 48-hour curfew began at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, in Land Settlement, Royal Flat, Comfort and Broadleaf District in the Manchester Police Division, running to 6:00 p.m. Friday, July 10. Residents must stay indoors unless authorised by security forces.

A magnitude 3.4 earthquake struck at 6:20 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, 11 kilometres south of Hope Bay, Portland, the University of the West Indies Earthquake Unit reported. It was also felt in Kingston and St. Andrew. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management said it had no damage reports and urged preparedness. Those who felt the tremor were asked to file reports with the Earthquake Unit.

Jamaica is sending humanitarian aid to Venezuela after twin earthquakes there on June 24, 2026, Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith said Tuesday, citing regional solidarity and Venezuela's help after Hurricane Melissa. Rescue teams have begun withdrawing as recovery starts; families still search for missing relatives and authorities have begun burying unidentified victims.

The modular housing programme launched after Hurricane Melissa has moved into construction and assembly. About 1,500 units are in Jamaica, with 1,000 more due by month's end. The prime minister said handovers should begin once bases and assembly advance in coming months. Officials said earlier shipping delays are resolved and quality standards remain strict.

The Chinese Embassy said Chinese companies in Jamaica pose no threat and should not have lawful interests undermined by Jamaica's cooperation with the United States, after reports that US firm AECOM will assess security at the island's three major commercial ports. It said a Chinese firm holds shares in the Kingston Freeport Terminal but does not run operations.

A defamation suit by Government Minister Daryl Vaz against PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell, over remarks at a Clarendon PNP conference on July 27, 2023, has been settled. Campbell signed an apology withdrawing the statements as having "no foundation in truth" and being "categorically false," must post a video apology by Thursday, July 9, publish it in the Jamaica Gleaner and Jamaica Observer, and pay $1.5 million in costs. St Thomas Western MP James Robertson and former MP Lawrence also settled over similar comments; only an apology for publication in the Gleaner was disclosed. Campbell declined comment.

Political commentator Damian Gordon said the case reinforces that political criticism should rest on facts and that officials must use public platforms responsibly. He credited Campbell for apologising under the settlement, while warning such episodes can deepen cynicism among uncommitted voters without sharply shifting partisan support.