(Jamaica Observer) Eleven persons died by the gun, including three by police bullets, in the first two days of the New Year, as the Grim Reaper set a blistering start to 2010.
Although Sunday was relatively calm up to the Observer’s press time last night, the 11 deaths had already surpassed the six reported in the first three days of 2009, based on police reports.
The latest murder is that of 44-year-old taxi driver, Norris Williams of Birdsucker Lane, in St Andrew, whom police say was operating his Toyota Corolla motor car about 9.23 pm in the Pinkneys Green community, when explosions were heard and a man seen running from the vehicle.
Residents found Williams’ body slumped over the steering wheel. The police were summoned and processed the crime scene before removing Williams’ body to the morgue.
Thirty minutes before that incident, homicide investigators were called to the scene in Waterford, St Catherine where the body of an unidentified woman was found.
Police responding to a call from residents who heard explosions, found the woman’s lifeless body with several bullet wounds.
The woman is believed to be about 27 years old, of brown complexion, medium build and about five feet six inches tall.
Her body was clad in blue jeans, floral blouse and orange slippers.
Dave Henry was at his home on Saturday in the hotbed community of Norwood in St James when he was attacked and peppered with bullets. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Joel Johnson, who lived in Pleasant Hill, St Mary, was murdered about 2
am on Saturday at Lissant Road in Kingston. Police were again summoned to the community after residents reported hearing explosions. Johnson’s body was found on the road with several gunshot wounds. He died on the spot.
Head of Operations in the Constabulary, Glenmore Hinds told the Observer that the Police High Command had launched an investigation into all aspects of the recent Black and White Party which was held at the National Arena on New Year’s Eve and ended in the death of 31-year-old Patrick McDonald.
McDonald, also called ‘Kingman’, of Brooklyn Avenue, Cromarty, St Catherine, was shot four times in the head as he attempted to leave the popular dance.
Reports are that he had a tiff with other patrons earlier and was targeted as he left. Police say McDonald was a major player in the ‘Lynch Mob’ gang which has been creating havoc in sections of St Catherine. He was also wanted in connection with several shooting incidents involving the police in that parish.
Michael Thomas, 29, of Comfort in Manchester is also listed among the New Year’s weekend dead. Thomas was involved in a dispute with a group of men on New Year’s morning. The men drew guns and shot him. He was taken to the Mandeville Regional Hospital where medical staff pronounced him dead.
