Jamaica reported 31 murders in the past week, as per the latest data released on Sunday, March 17, 2024, by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). This covers the period from March 9 to 16.
The total number of murders in the country has now risen to 223 as of March 16, up from 192 the previous week. Compared to March 16 last year, when the country recorded 252 murders, there were 29 fewer killings during the same period in 2024.
Despite the significant weekly increase in murders (31) since the beginning of the year, homicides show a 12 percent decrease when compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
During the week of March 2 to 9, there were 19 murders, bringing the national tally to 192. St. James remains the most crime-ridden police division out of all 19 divisions, with 30 homicides, although this indicates a 17 percent decline compared to the same period last year. Here is the detailed breakdown:
- St Catherine South has 22 homicides.
- Westmoreland has 20.
- St Andrew South has 20.
- St Andrew Central has 17.
Last week, the Westmoreland Police Division reported six murders, while St Catherine South recorded seven. Tragically, five of these homicides occurred in under 24 hours in the Central Village community, where two homes were targeted in separate firebombing incidents, resulting in the heartbreaking loss of five residents, including three women and an infant.
Additionally, there has been a one percent increase in shootings and two more incidents resulting in injuries. However, there is some improvement in other areas, with reductions of 42 percent in rape, 5 percent in robberies, and 16 percent in break-ins.
Despite these concerning statistics, it is important to note that Dr. Kevin Blake, Jamaica’s 15th top cop, will take office as the new police commissioner on March 18, 2024.
Three men were hospitalized with severe burns after fiery crash on highway.
ST CATHERINE, Jamaica—Three men suffered severe burn injuries after the vehicle they were traveling in caught fire on the PJ Patterson Highway in St Catherine on Monday, March 18, 2024.
According to a police report, at around 7:30 a.m., the men were passengers in a red 1992 Toyota Corolla driving eastbound when, near the Bodles entrance at Old Harbor, another vehicle entering the toll road swerved into their path.
The driver of the Corolla reportedly veered to the right in an attempt to avoid a collision, leading to a loss of control and a crash into an iron railing before the car burst into flames.
The driver managed to exit the vehicle, only to discover the other three occupants engulfed in flames.
Good Samaritan motorists transported the injured men, aged 50, 26, and 25, to the hospital, where they were admitted with severe burns.
Firefighters from the Old Harbour Fire Station swiftly responded to the scene.
The authorities are conducting an investigation into the incident.
St. Catherine Man Faces Charges for Alleged Theft of Phone and Shooting of Victim.
The police have charged a 21-year-old man with several gun-related offenses following an alleged phone robbery on Oakland Drive in Kingston on March 6, 2024.
He is Damarney Jackson, o/c ‘Brown-Man,’ from Rosemarie Lane, Portmore in St Catherine.
The authorities charged him with wounding with intent, robbery with aggravation, possession of a prohibited weapon, and unauthorized possession of ammunition.
According to the Hunts Bay police in St Andrew, at about 5:10 p.m., Jackson pointed a firearm at a man, took his cellphone, then opened gunfire at him, hitting him to the right side of his abdomen.
In fear for his life, the victim ran to seek assistance, and Jackson escaped on foot in the area.
The police responded and transported the injured man to the hospital, where the authorities treated and released him.
The police arrested Jackson following an investigation. His court appearance date is pending.
Police Charged a Suspect with Shooting Death of Businessman In Riverton City.
Man Charged with Shooting Death of Businessman
A 24-year-old man, Marqes Ellis, faces multiple charges in connection with the shooting death of 58-year-old businessman Norman Dunkley in West Cumberland Portmore, St Catherine. The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, on Trelawny Avenue, Riverton City, Kingston 11.
According to reports from the Duhaney Park police, Ellis and two accomplices, armed with handguns, ambushed Dunkley as he drove his blue Toyota Surf motor truck along the roadway at around 10:40 a.m. The men allegedly opened fire, hitting Dunkley before fleeing the scene.
Police responded and transported Dunkley to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Ellis remained at large until Wednesday, March 13, 2024, when he was apprehended during a confrontation with the Riverton City community law enforcement officers.
Following a question-and-answer session in the presence of his attorney, Ellis was charged with murder, possession of a prohibited weapon, and unauthorized possession of ammunition. His court date is pending.
19-year-old Faces Charges for Deadly Grange Hill, Westmoreland Gun Attack.
On Sunday, March 17, 2024, law enforcement officers in Westmoreland filed charges against a suspect in connection with the brutal shooting of four individuals, one of whom tragically lost their life in Crowder District, Grange Hill, Westmoreland, on Sunday, February 4, 2024.
The accused, Lashawn Warren, aged 19, from Ghetto Geneva, Westmoreland, has been charged with murder, possession of a prohibited weapon, using a firearm to commit a felony, and three counts of wounding with intent.
According to the police report, the incident occurred at approximately 5 p.m. 19-year-old Devonte Brown, also known as ‘Silly,’ was standing on the Crowder main road while the other victims were in a yard when a grey Nissan Latio came to a halt.
Reportedly, Warren, armed with a handgun, and another individual, armed with a rifle, emerged from the vehicle and opened fire at Brown and the individuals in the yard before fleeing in the grey Nissan.
Upon the authorities’ arrival, all four victims were found with gunshot wounds.
The police promptly transported the victims to the hospital. Regrettably, Brown succumbed to his injuries, while the others were admitted for treatment.
Following an investigation, an arrest warrant was executed on Warren on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, during an operation in Grange Hill.
The formal charges were brought against him on Sunday, March 17, 2024, and his court appearance date is pending.
The police have identified the two killed in Bog Walk Collison.
Tragic Loss of Two Men in Bog Walk Collision
The St Catherine North police have identified the individuals involved in a fatal two-vehicle collision near Bog Walk on Friday, March 15, 2024.
The victims were 26-year-old laborer Javon Smith of West Prospect district, St Catherine, and 35-year-old Kewayne Wright of Top Road in Jeffrey Town, St Mary.
According to the police report, the collision occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. when Smith, the driver of a Yamaha motorcycle, and Wright, his passenger, lost control and collided with a Toyota Noah motor truck on Tulloch Main Road.
The collision resulted in extensive damage to both vehicles, with the Toyota Noah’s driver and passengers sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. Tragically, Smith and Wright suffered severe injuries and were pronounced dead upon arrival at Linstead Hospital.
The authorities are currently investigating the incident.