Manchester man charged in connection with shooting incident that left two dead

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The police have charged a 36-year-old man who is believed to be involved with a shooting incident in Manchester that left two alleged gunmen dead on Monday, October 19. Charged is Cordel Blake, of George Reid District, Manchester, who faces charges of shooting with intent, possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorised possession of ammunition and using a firearm to commit a felony. According to the police, at approximately 6:35 am, lawmen intercepted a silver Toyota Axio motor car along Old Greenvale Road after receiving reports that the vehicle had been involved in an earlier shooting. Two armed men were reportedly inside the vehicle, while a motorcyclist believed to have been travelling with them fled the scene. Police reports indicate that when officers signalled the driver to stop, one of the occupants opened fire, prompting the lawmen to return fire. Following the exchange, two men were found suffering from gunshot wounds. One was reportedly in possession of a Smith & Wesson P15-22 rifle containing five rounds of .22-calibre ammunition. Both men were taken to hospital, where they were pronounced dead. READ: WATCH: Two alleged gunmen fatally shot in Mandeville Police later intercepted Blake at the intersection of Perth Road and Grove Road, believing him to be the motorcyclist who had fled the earlier encounter. During the subsequent confrontation, Blake reportedly pulled a firearm from his waistband and opened fire on the officers before escaping. The lawmen returned fire, but he managed to evade them. Blake later turned up at hospital with a gunshot wound to his right foot. He was treated and admitted before being placed in police custody pending an identification parade. He was formally charged on Tuesday, October 27. Blake is scheduled to appear in the Manchester Parish Court on Wednesday, November 4.