Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

The killing of two men by the police in Big Lane, Central Village, St Catherine, yesterday, have left the community tense as residents and police are giving different versions of the incident.

Those killed were identified as Lincoln Stewart, 23, and his brother 25-year-old Mitoyan, otherwise called 'Pram Pram', both from Board Villa in Big Lane.

Operation officer for St Catherine South Police Division, Superintendent Clive Blair, said police on patrol were fired on by gunmen. During an ensuing shoot-out, both brothers were shot. They later died.

Blair said the brothers were suspect in a murder in the division earlier this year. ''The men were suspects in a case of murder that occurred in the community in February this year and were the subject of investigation by the police when they were shot,'' Blair said.

But residents said there was no shoot-out. The residents were quick to point out though that the brothers were no angels.

Police said two handguns, a revolver and a 9mm pistol were seized from the men.