Antigua: Two men killed after gunfire battle with police

Last updated: October 6, 2017 at 12:29 pm

Police have shot dead two men in the Lightfoot East area of Antigua following an early morning exchange of gunfire yesterday.

Travis “Ten Pound” Martin-Bailey and Jamele “Marlo” Hurst were reportedly both dressed in camouflage gear during the shootout.

According to police, Special Services and Rapid Response Units were patrolling in the area near the Classic View apartments at around 1.30am when they received information about suspicious activity in the area.

It is alleged one of the men opened fire on the officers, who returned shot back and and killed them.

Hunt on for fleeing suspects

When police arrived on the scene there was a vehicle waiting outside the apartments.

The driver and a passenger sped away and officers are still searching for them.

The incident happened on the same day that the Antigua and Barbuda government announced additional funds for police to fight a recent spike in crime.

A number of high profile murders include the shooting of an elderly woman and the kidnap and murder of a Jamaican man.

Lionel Hurst, chief of staff in the prime minister's office, said today "that the situation warrants great concern".