The Police High Command has confirmed that members of a gang were contracted and paid one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to kill a police man and his family, in Reading, St. James, last week.

The Constable and his 5 year old son were wounded, while his spouse was killed during the attack.  

In a statement, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) reported significant progress in the investigation into the incident, which occurred last Saturday, August 9, in the vicinity of a night club in Reading. 

The murder victim is 36-year-old Latoya Crystal Stephenson, a Human Resources Manager of West Village, St. James.

The policeman, who is Stephenson’s spouse and their son, remain hospitalised. 

The child is said to be in critical condition, and has already undergone multiple surgeries.

According to the High Command, investigators have deduced that members of the Katon Defence Force (KDF) gang were contracted to kill the policeman and his family.  

The cop is attached to the area one Lottery Scam Task Force.

The High Command is bemoaning the little value placed on human life by these criminals, to the extent that persons are willing to pay and accept paltry sums to wipe out entire families.

The JCF also confirmed that lawmen fatally shot three men, who were attached to the KDF Gang, following the incident.

Orlando Thomas, otherwise called ‘Ninja’, who investigators said was a prime suspect, was fatally shot during an alleged confrontation in Salt Spring, on Wednesday.

Alleged leader of the KDF Gang, Andre Reid, otherwise called ‘Likkle Zul’ was killed in an alleged armed confrontation with the police, in St. Thomas, on Monday.

Police had listed Reid as a high risk target, because he was implicated in a number of violent crimes. 

At the time of his death, Reid was reporting on bail, after being charged with a double murder.

Another suspect, 33 year old Lindel Gray, was fatally shot in Mafuta, St. James, on Monday.

The High Command added that a woman was arrested in Hanover on Wednesday in relation to the incident.

Investigators are pursuing all available leads and are working closely with forensic and intelligence units to bring the matter to a conclusion. 

Formal charges are expected to be laid shortly.