By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

POLICE fatally shot two men in the Sunset Park area last evening following a short chase and shootout, according to Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP) Stephen Dean.

ACP Dean said officers on patrol in the Carmichael Road area noticed a sedan being driven in a suspicious manner and instructed the vehicle to stop.

He added that in an effort to evade officers, the driver sped off in the direction of Wendall Drive and Anthony Lane.

The driver then pulled into the driveway of a nearby property and both he and the passenger exited the vehicle with “blazing” handguns.

ACP Dean said the men exchanged gunfire with the officers, resulting in both being fatally shot.

When The Tribune arrived on the scene, the body of one male could be seen near the rear of the vehicle on Anthony Lane, while the other man’s body was around the block on the front lawn of a home on Wendall Drive.

ACP Dean renewed the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s plea to the public to assist officers with ridding the streets of criminals.

“We cannot allow for persons who are hell-bent despite the warnings, despite the pleas, to put away the guns, persons who are hell-bent on committing crime. We have asked persons (not to) confront police,” he said.

“The police are well-trained, we have an efficient force who is focusing on the police plan laid out by the Commissioner of Police and we will continue to seek out the criminal elements.”

He said RBPF officers remain dedicated and ready to respond to all matters in an effort to keep the general public safe.

Last month, police reported that a suspect who was being held on double murder and firearm charges died in hospital shortly before 6pm on March 20. Police had shot the suspect during an exchange of gunfire on March 12, at Greenwich Street off Mason’s Way.

The suspect was transported to hospital where he was detained. At the time, police said they recovered a handgun along with ammunition from the suspect on the scene.

Coroner Jeanine Weech-Gomez has begun an investigation into these incidents, police said.