(Jamaica Gleaner) – Earl Fray, father of Stephen Fray, attempted hijacker, is expected to be charged with ‘negligence caused in the theft or loss of a firearm’ by the police.
He is expected to appear in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court next Wednesday, May 13, to answer the charge.
Fray Sr’s .38 revolver was reportedly stolen by his son on Sunday, April 19, and later used to carry out an attempted hijacking of CanJet charter Flight 918, which was parked on the tarmac of the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.
The aircraft was heading to Halifax, Canada.
At least one shot was reportedly fired from the gun on the aircraft, as Fray kept 160 passengers and crew hostage. He released the passengers within an hour, but held the crew of six for over eight hours.
Fray, who reportedly stole his father’s firearm, has since been slapped with some 17 charges, including nine counts of illegal possession of a firearm, shooting with intent, robbery with aggravation, assault at common law, breach of the Airports Regulations and the Civil Aviation Act.
It is expected that the police will recommend that Fray Sr’s licence be revoked. In an interview, which appeared in The Gleaner on Wednesday, Fray was quoted, saying he received troubling news that the man behind the attempted hijack was the youngest of his three children.
“I thought it was a dream, then I bawled like a baby,” he told The Gleaner.
Commenting on the new developments, DSP Garrick said this should serve as a warning to licensed firearm holders to take extra precaution in the safety and security of their weapons.
“I am cautioning persons who are holders to closely monitor their children, especially if they observe any unusual behaviour,” stated the police officer.
He added that although this was an irregular occurrence, in recent times, there have been a number of cases where guns have been left accessible to household members to commit crimes.
