Bloody weekend out west - Six murders recorded in three parishes

Despite the efforts of the security forces to stem crime in the region, western Jamaica remains a hotbed of gun violence with six murders committed across the parishes of St James, Hanover, and Westmoreland in another bloody weekend in the west.

In the incidents in the parish on the weekend, 65-year-old Derek Whyte was found dead along the Esher main road, near Lucea, last Saturday morning, with his head bashed in.

On Sunday, 24-year-old Keneisha Kerr of Lances Bay was found dead at her home with multiple bullet wounds.

"As it relates to this weekend's shooting incident, it is still early days but our investigators have already gotten a number of strong leads," said Detective Inspection Carl Brown, the crime chief for Hanover. "In fact, we are now seeking two suspects and we hope to have them in our custody very soon."

In St James, Which has exploded into violence since the start of the year with 18 murders, the community of Norwood was the at the centre of attention last Friday with a double murder at a popular cookshop, located a short distance from a Jamaica Defence Force camp.

Those killed have been identified as chefs, 49-year-old Facey and 45-year-old Millicent Solomon, both of Norwood. The incident is believed to be an act of reprisal for a shooting incident earlier in the week.

In the two killings in Westmoreland, which occurred last Saturday, two men, identified as 28-year-old Kareem Whyte, of Groveland district; and 36-year-old Cliff Reid, of Aston district, were killed by gunmen in separate incidents.

While stating that he could not comment on the situation in the other parishes, Brown said that while they have had seven murders since the start of the year, they have been successful in making a number of arrests in the various incidents.

"In Hanover, we have managed to reduce murders and crime in general over the comparative period last year," said Brown. "We have placed additional security resources in a number of areas and we are trying our best to get a reduction in all forms of criminal activities across the parish."