A man who reportedly grabbed a policeman's gun from his holster and fired several shots at the lawman was shot and killed by another policeman last night.

The high drama took place about 7:20 p.m. in a volatile community in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

Information reaching THE STAR,from the Spanish Town police, is that several police officers were on duty along the busy March Pen Road. It is understood that a man, believed to be of unsound mind, sneaked up behind one of the policemen and grabbed his gun from his holster.

Police said after getting the weapon, the man pointed it and began firing at the lawmen who took evasive action by dropping to the ground. The man, the police said, continued firing but was shot by another policeman.

Upon being shot the man ran and jumped into a nearby canal, where he was later found dead.

Up to press time last night, police had not ascertained the man's identity. Likewise the police were unable to find their colleague's firearm, but were still searching the area.