Police hunt Father Fowl’s killers

Following the death of 62-year-old Owen ‘Father Fowl’ Clarke last Friday, voice notes have surfaced with a male saying that 100 men are going to die for his death. However, Assistant Commissioner of Police for Area 4, Devon Watkis, said that the police are not focusing on such threats.

“Social media is an open platform that conveys information, and it also accommodates fake news,” he said.

While the police will not disregard the threats, Watkis said that they are focusing on finding the person(s) involved in Clarke’s murder. He said that the police are still in the initial stages of their investigation, and they intend to use credible information to probe the case.

General public safety

“We are examining all medium, including WhatsApp. We have no basis to negate the possibilities, but in terms of policing, as the area officer, we must in all circumstances do our due diligence and to act against any opportunity for persons to exploit, to cause harm, or any disruption to our general public safety. As it relates to the investigation, we have adopted a similar posture, and we will certainly continue to be vigilant around all places that are affected,” he said.

Clarke was killed last Friday in Kencot, St Andrew.

It is said that he was shot multiple times by men who rode up on a bike. He then collapsed in front of his Red Range Rover motor vehicle and died.

Meanwhile, videos are also being circulated about possible reprisals and rumours that at least seven persons have died as a result of Father Fowl’s death. However, Watkis dismissed those speculations.

“We are unaware of that. Certainly not in my space. I have no idea of anything happening elsewhere that is in connection (with his death), but we have no credible information to suggest there is a connection,” Watkis said.

“So, while those possibilities will be present as we speak, what we are doing is a comprehensive investigation into Mr Clarke’s death. We are doing that with objectives in mind, which are to find the perpetrators, to restore calm and to execute justice where it must be applied,” he said, while asking persons who might have information on the incident to tell the police what they know.