Four killed over weekend
A 35-year-old man was killed at his home in Keystone, just outside Spanish Town in St Catherine, early Sunday morning, bringing to four the number of murders reported by the police between Friday and Sunday.
The Spanish Town police reported that about 2:00 am Andrew Lee and a relative were at home when explosions were heard, after which the relative found Lee in his bed with gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Lee’s killing followed that of 25-year-old Roshane Housen in Ocho Rios on Saturday about 7:00 pm.
Police report that residents heard explosions and the St Ann’s Bay police were called. Upon their arrival, Housen — otherwise called Bredda, of Guys Hill, St Mary and Mansfield, St Ann — was seen lying on his back with gunshot wounds to the head. He was taken to hospital where his death was confirmed.
On Friday, 25-year-old Lamar Smith, otherwise called Pops, of Nompriel Road, Negril, was shot dead in his community.
According to the Savanna-la-Mar police, about 11:45 pm Smith was standing at a bar when a motor vehicle drove up. A group of men exited the vehicle and opened gunfire, hitting him in the upper body and head. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Also on Friday, police reported that a 34-year-old woman was killed during what they believe to be a domestic dispute.
Nickesha DaCosta-Walters was stabbed and her throat slashed. Her 10-year-old son was also reportedly attacked during the incident. The police have confirmed that her husband, Peter Walters, is now in custody.
According to the police, Walters, who was away on the farm work programme, recently returned to the country and heard that his wife had been unfaithful. She had denied the allegation.
The police report that an argument erupted between the two, resulting in the death of the woman.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s crime statistics revealed that between January 1 and August 22, a total of 968 murders were committed, a 4.2 per cent increase on the number for the same period last year.