GEORGES PLAIN, Westmoreland The Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI) has commenced a probe into the fatal police shooting on five alleged gunmen in separate incidents in the parish early yesterday morning.

Four of the dead were said to be residents of Spanish Town, St Catherine and the other an ex-convict from Westmoreland. Two handguns, the police said, were seized following the shootings.

The police reported that three of the dead were fingered in the earlier shooting death of 22-year-old businessman Rasheed Golaub of Three Miles, Westmoreland.

According to the police, about 12:10 am, moments after closing his restaurant, Golaub and three of his relatives were walking in the Three Miles River community in Westmoreland when they were pounced upon by a group of armed men who alighted from a Toyota Caldina motor car.

Alleged eyewitnesses say the three relatives ran, leaving Golaub who is said to have recently undergone an operation on one of his feet. One of the gunmen opened fire hitting the businessman all over his body, killing him on the spot.

In a quick response by the police, the Caldina motor car, with four men aboard, was spotted along the Jane Mark road in Georges Plain -- a short distance from the community in which Golaub was shot. The police reportedly signalled the car to stop and the driver obeyed. But occupants of the motor vehicle allegedly opened fire at the police, who returned the fire.

Following the shooting three were discovered suffering from gunshot wounds. They were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead. Police were last night searching for the fourth man who managed to escape.

Two of the dead men are said to be of Spanish Town addresses, while the other, identified only as Peddie, was said to be an ex-convict of Georges Plain, Westmoreland.

Meanwhile, armed gunmen who engaged members of the Westmoreland police in a shoot-out were shot and killed in West End, Negril during the wee hours in another yesterday morning. Both were said to be residents of Spanish Town.

The Westmoreland police were not willing to provide any information on the incident but persons who claimed to be eyewitnesses said the police came under gunfire after they went to an apartment building in West End, Negril. The two men were killed by the police who returned the fire. A 9mm pistol was reportedly seized after the shooting.