Extortion believed to be behind fatal Clarendon shooting
CLARENDON, Jamaica — A vendor was fatally shot on Main Street, May Pen on Valentine’s Day in what the police have theorised is a result of extortion gone wrong.
Keith McIntosh, a 27-year-old resident of Darlow, Mocho in Clarendon was shot and killed by gunmen about 8:30 pm.
According to police reports, two men posing as customers approached McIntosh. One of the men reportedly had a brief conversation with him.
The other man then reportedly pulled a handgun and opened gunfire, hitting McIntosh in the head and upper body. The man, who had spoken to him, reportedly used a knife to cut the strap of a black bag that was slung across McIntosh’s body.
Both men then ran in the direction of Bryant’s Crescent where they got into a grey Toyota Wish motor vehicle and left the area. McIntosh was assisted to the May Pen Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Based on CCTV footage, it is believed that the men came to collect extortion money and McIntosh refused to pay. It is believed that this may have led to his demise.
The police are seeking two persons of interest in connection with his murder. They are members of the Bush Man (Lion Paw Gang) based in the Farm community.
According to OBSERVER ONLINE police sources, thugs from the Farm/Effortville area are known to extort money from vendors in the May Pen Town, and when they refuse to comply they are targeted and killed.