Bloody Monday in St Catherine - One body found, three other persons killed

November 25, 2020

When Elijah Griffiths left home on his motorcycle on Sunday morning at his usual time of 6:30 for work at the Jamaica Broilers plant in Kitson Town, the last thing his family members thought was that he would not make it back home.

The body of the 67-year-old was found on Monday about 9:30 a.m. in bushes in Spring Garden near his community of Cherry with his head partially severed.

The St Catherine North police say four men are now being questioned in connection with the killing."Mi would prefer dem kill me than kill mi father, him is a easy going person who don't deserve to die like this," said his son Venreece Griffiths as he fought back tears.

"Anything I want mi father buy it for me. Mi mother die when I was two and because of how mi father care for me, I never miss my mother, " he continued.

Griffiths's brother, Ralston Dempster, who led the search party, cried when he described stumbling upon his brother's body in the bushes, the face eaten away by animals.

"His death has cast a dark cloud over the community. Everyone is mourning his death right now," said Dempster.

The discovery of Griffiths' body was the start of a bloody Monday for the parish, as three other persons were killed within a 12-hour period.

First, Janice Reid Elleston, 49, of Old Road, Thompson Pen, was shot and killed in her home by an unknown assailant about 6 p.m. on Monday.

Her mother, Angella Holmes, told THE STAR that they were at home when a man armed with a firearm held up Elleston's husband, who was standing outside the gate with friends, forced him into the yard, and ordered him to call his wife.

As soon as she appeared in the living room, the gunman opened fire hitting Elleston several times. She was pronounced dead at hospital; her husband escaped unhurt.

About two hours later, businessman Kasceem Angus, 22, of Brunswick Avenue, was shot and killed at a bar by gunmen reportedly travelling in a white Honda motor car.

Reports are that Angus had just arrived at the bar with a female companion and ordered drinks. While he was standing outside, he was approached by one of the men from the car who ordered persons standing close to him to move. He then opened fire hitting Angus multiple times in his head and upper body.

His father, Oniel, told THE STAR that his son runs his business and was not known to be involved in anything shady.

"I am lost right now, all I can say he is the backbone of the business," he said.

Also, about 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Gladstone Dawkins of Six Miles, Old Harbour, was reportedly shot and killed at his home. The police say they are yet to establish any motives for these killings.

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