Key Takeaways
- Jamaican police are searching for Kenroy ‘Papa’ Willis, classified as a high-risk target linked to five murders in St. Andrew.
- A recent police operation targeted Willis but resulted in the deaths of five men, including two police officers.
- Willis is known for leading the Rose Hall gang and is wanted for multiple violent crimes, including the murder of Verne Ewan Joseph.
- The police connected Willis to several other homicides in 2024, particularly in the Lawrence Tavern area.
- Authorities continue to pursue leads on Willis’s whereabouts, focusing on areas like Golden Spring and Bull Bay.
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Law enforcement agents in Jamaica have launched a comprehensive search across the island for Kenroy “Papa” Willis. The police have classified him as a “high-risk target.” Authorities have linked Willis to at least five murders committed in various areas of St. Andrew. These occurred between May 2024 and May 2025.
According to the Jamaica Observer, Willis was the primary target of a police operation early last Friday morning in the Five Miles area, near the Sligoville main road in St. Catherine. This operation resulted in the deaths of five men. Furthermore, it left a 10-year-old girl injured.
The police have identified the deceased, which tragically includes two members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). They are Corporal Trevoy Shaw and Constable Devoney Rose. The civilians who lost their lives are Errol Hussey, his son Malique Hussey, and his nephew Javoun Cogle.
Malique Hussey, also known as Mal Boss, is believed to be an associate of “Papa.” He resides in the Rose Hall District of Lawrence Tavern, St. Andrew.
“Papa” is recognized by law enforcement as a violent criminal who leads the Rose Hall gang in St. Andrew. He is a suspect in numerous serious violent crimes, including homicides, shootings, and robberies. Specifically, “Papa” is on the police wanted list for the murder of Verne Ewan Joseph. This crime occurred on October 26, 2024, along Essex Hall Main Road.
Law enforcement officials have linked “Papa” five homicides between 2024 and 2026
Additionally, the police have linked “Papa” to the deaths of Alexian Daley in Mahoney District, Lawrence Tavern, on May 26, 2024; Matthew Williams, who was killed at Lawrence Tavern Square on June 14, 2024; and Oshane Blackwood, who was shot along Brooks Level Road in Stony Hill on May 11, 2024. Notably, three of these homicides happened within a five-week period in 2024. Moreover, all occurred in and around the Lawrence Tavern area.
The police have narrowed their search for “Papa” to several locations where he may be hiding or maintaining connections. These locations include Golden Spring, Lawrence Tavern, Glengoffe in St. Catherine, and Bull Bay and Clarks Hill in St. Andrew. Our dedicated crime fighters have previously conducted targeted raids as part of their efforts to apprehend “Papa.” Last Friday’s deadly operation was one of the latest attempts to capture him.
Willis has remained a person of interest to law enforcement throughout 2026. Reports indicate that he is wanted for homecide and is under investigation for other violent crimes. A source from the Observer stated, “Willis’s reported gang affiliation, alleged involvement in multiple murders, and associations with other suspected violent offenders have made him a subject of sustained police interest.”