ST JAMES, Jamaica: St James Police indicted ‘a suspect ‘Gio’ in connection with the shooting death of a shopkeeper in the Flanker community on April 27, 2024.
Authorities identified the dead man as Randy Mc Neil, age 28, from Providence Height in Flanker, St James.
Besides murder, the accused, Joseph McKenzie, o/c ‘Gio,‘ 30, from Second Avenue in Flanker, faces gun and ammunition charges. Before his capture, McKenzie was St James most wanted criminal.
The police said the tragic incident occurred at about 11:15 a.m. along New Road on April 27.
Reportedly, as McNeil walked along the roadway, McKenzie allegedly approached him and opened gunfire, hitting him several times.
Residents summoned the police, who responded swiftly and transported the injured man to the hospital, where the medical staff pronounced him dead on arrival.
Detectives investigated and arrested the accused on August 25 at Harvey Beach in St James.
Law enforcement officers brought charges against the accused after a question-and-answer session in the presence of his attorney.
The accused court date is pending.
Explosion at Burger King Outlet Injures Several Workers in St. Andrew, Jamaica.
ST. ANDREW, Jamaica: Reportedly, eight Burger King employees were injured in a blast at its New Kingston location on Wednesday, September 11.
In an interview with Radio Jamaica News after the blast, Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade Stewart Beckford said four workers from Island Grill restaurant were also affected after inhaling toxic fumes from the explosion.
Beckford said he was awaiting further information on the nature and extent of their injuries. The workers received medical treatment at a facility.
The explosion shattered the glass windows on the ground floor of the building.
Commissioner Beckford said the blown-out windows helped reduce the explosion’s effects. Had the building not been designed with that many windows, the force of the blast would likely have killed the workers, he suggested.
He said the blast had not compromised the structure of the Burger King or adjoining buildings.
Meanwhile, Burger King franchise owner Restaurant Associates said the explosion occurred after a routine delivery of gas supplies.
The company said that employees reported a strong gas odor after the delivery.
The restaurant was closed, and the service provider returned to the site to fix the issue.
The operator said that before leaving the site, the supplier had confirmed it was safe to continue with business, but the explosion occurred shortly after.
Group CEO of Restaurant Associates Limited, Lisa Lake, said the affected staff are recovering under medical supervision.
“I’ve actually managed to speak with most of them directly, and thankfully, they’re okay despite being understandably shaken up,” she disclosed, thanking the emergency personnel for their quick response.
She said the restaurant would work with the authorities to prove what caused the explosion.
The Burger King outlet on Knutsford Boulevard will stay closed until further notice.