Three members of the Ants Posse gang were shot and killed during an alleged confrontation with the police in Grange Hill, Westmoreland yesterday.

The deceased have been identified as 23-year-old Jervis Smith, 20-year-old Jervan Hall and 19-year-old David Brooks.

The incident took place at around 5:20 A.M. on Mint Road, in Crowder, during a pre-dawn targeted operation by a police team executing a search warrant.

Reports indicate that as the police approached the premises, they came under heavy gunfire from armed men.

The officers then returned fire.

When the shooting subsided, three men were found with gunshot wounds.

They were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead.

One 9mm Taurus G2C pistol and one Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol, with a magazine containing six 9mm rounds, were seized during the operation.

A fourth suspect escaped during the exchange.

He has been identified as Sandario Van Horne, otherwise called ‘Drug Lord’ and is now on the police’s radar.

Assistant Commissioner of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), Hamish Campbell, told IRIE FM News that the matter is still under investigation.