Key Takeaways
- Hunts Bay Cops investigate a double murder on Balcombe Drive, where two men were killed after a car approached and opened fire.
- SSP Manderson highlights ongoing gang issues but notes recent efforts to dismantle crime in the area.
- Police arrest Antoneo Palmer for allegedly driving a hitman in a murder case involving Omiela Walker.
- CCTV helped identify the vehicle used in the shooting, and Palmer has since surrendered to police.
- Calls for increased police presence in St. Andrew follow a recent triple homicide, reflecting community safety concerns.
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Senior Superintendent Damion Manderson, the Commanding Officer of the St. Andrew South Police Division, has stated that Hunts Bay cops are pursuing several leads related to the double murder that occurred on Balcombe Drive in Olympic Gardens, St. Andrew, on Sunday.
Reports indicate that shortly after 7:30 p.m., residents were gathered at their gates when a car drove up. Men exited the vehicle and opened fire on the group. As a result of the incident, two men and a woman were injured. They were rushed to the hospital, where the two men later succumbed to their injuries.
The police have not yet revealed the identities of the deceased men.
“It’s an unfortunate situation because Balcombe Drive is one of the communities the Hunts Bay cops have been working with for quite some time. We have managed to dismantle much of the gang activity and displace many gang members from that area. However, the intelligence we’re receiving indicates that recent issues seem to stem from a conflict related to a situation that occurred at least 2 to 3 years ago. It appears that individuals are returning to the area, attracted by the peace and tranquility, and they are looking for opportunities to exploit this situation,” SSP Manderson said.
The commanding officer said the Hunts Bay police are following several leads and anticipate those leads will bear fruit soon.
On Monday, Opposition Leader Mark Golding and St. Andrew South Member of Parliament Angela Brown-Burke toured Kidd Lane in St. Andrew after a tragic triple homicide on Friday that resulted in the deaths of three residents: two women and a child.
Golding called for a continuous police presence in the community to prevent any further reprisals following the incident that occurred on Sunday.
Hunts Bay cops have charged a suspect for allegedly driving a hitman to fatal shooting
Hunts Bay cops have charged a St Andrew technician after he allegedly rented a car and transported a gunman to an address in Kingston 11, where he executed an unarmed woman.
Investigators have identified the accused as Antoneo Palmer, age 30. He faces charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and misprision of a felony. Misprision of a felony means the accused knowingly concealed a felony that had been committed and failed to report it to the authorities.
The charges stemmed from the shooting death of 25-year-old Omiela Walker, also known as ‘Naana’, on September 26. She was a resident of Hibiscus Avenue in Kingston 11, Jamaica.
According to the Hunts Bay police, Palmer allegedly rented a 2015 Toyota Axio and used it to transport an accomplice to Walker’s address.
Reports indicate that around 7:25 p.m., on the day of the incident, Palmer allegedly parked the vehicle near Walker’s gate. Moments later, a man reportedly exited the car and approached Walker. After a brief conversation, the man allegedly opened fire, hitting Walker in the upper body.
The gunman then reportedly returned to the vehicle, and both he and Palmer fled the scene.
Police responded and assisted Walker to the hospital, where a doctor pronounced her deceased.
Investigators reportedly used CCTV footage to identify the vehicle, which they later seized for processing.
Palmer subsequently surrendered to the police. The police formally charged him following an investigation. His court appearance date is pending.