By Markelia Rumble

Rushawn Patterson, the man charged in connection with the 2022 murder of social media influencer Aneka Townsend, popularly known as ‘Slickiana,’ was fatally shot during an alleged confrontation with police in Hanover this morning.

The incident occurred around 7:00 A.M. in Dundee Pen, Lucea.

According to the police, a firearm was reportedly seized from Patterson during the confrontation.

At the time of his death, Patterson was out on bail with a court appearance scheduled for later this year in connection with Townsend’s murder.

The allegations in the case suggest that 35-year-old Townsend traveled from Kingston to Montego Bay on October 20, 2022.

She was allegedly picked up by Patterson, who then took her to a restaurant and later to a guest house in Hanover.

It is further alleged that an argument developed between them during the night.

Townsend’s body was discovered floating at sea in Reading, St. James on October 21, 2022.

The post-mortem examination revealed that her cause of death was strangulation.

A police investigation led to Patterson’s arrest in November 2022.